Economopoulos v. A.G. Pollard Co. case brief

Economopoulos v. A.G. Pollard Co. case brief
1914

Facts: Evidence showed that the defendant’s employee accused a plaintiff of stealing a handkerchief and there was a second person who accused plaintiff of stealing a handkerchief but in greek. So no third party heard and could understand that a plaintiff was being defamed. 

Decision: Defendant wins 

Reasoning: There was no publication here; the clerk who spoke in English accused the plaintiff of stealing a napkin while the floor walker, in Greek, accused plaintiff of the same. No evidence that anyone else could have heard this or understood it if they heard it 

Holding: Unless there is evidence to show that someone understood a defamatory statement, there cannot be an action for defamation maintained.

Check out our eBook: How to Win at Law School to see how to transfer to a top school, get the top grades in your class, and get a head start on the legal profession!