GOOD NEWS FOR SLANDERERS.
A becent decision of the Privy Council, and an earlier one, both on appeal, determine how far a slanderer can safely go without getting within the law. For instance, the words “I have a suspicion that you and M. robbed my house, and therefore I take you into custody,” did not bring the speaker within the law, as they only asserted a suspicion, and did not make an absolute charge, of felony. And “ Have you not heard that X. Y. is suspected of having murdered W. Z., his brother-in-law ? A proclamation offering a reward for the apprehension of the murderer is now in my office, and there is only one link wanting to complete the chain.” The plaintiff in the latter case had been nonsuited on the ground that only a suspicion of guilt, and not actual guilt, had been alleged ; and the Privy Council confirmed the nonsuit.
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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 919, 19 February 1881, Page 2
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152GOOD NEWS FOR SLANDERERS. Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 919, 19 February 1881, Page 2
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