The Press: Spite Money

When a federal jury in Manhattan awarded $175,001 to Reporter Quentin Reynolds in his libel suit against Westbrook Pegler, it intended to punish Columnist Pegler and his publishing sponsors within the court's jurisdiction. It had deliberated more than twelve hours over the charge of Judge Edward Weinfeld pointing out the difference between punitive damages and "compensatory" damages, i.e., those to make up for any loss in Reynolds' earning power. Said the court: "Where it is established that a defendant was inspired by actual malice . . . the jury may award . ....

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