[DOWNLOAD] "Dennis J. Van Straten v. Milwaukee Journal" by Court of Appeals of Wisconsin " Book PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Dennis J. Van Straten v. Milwaukee Journal
- Author : Court of Appeals of Wisconsin
- Release Date : January 29, 1989
- Genre: Law,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 68 KB
Description
Dennis Van Straten appeals a summary judgment in favor of Milwaukee Journal Newspaper, et al (newspapers), dismissing his
actions for violation of confidentiality under sec. 146.025(5), Stats., defamation, and invasion of privacy against six Wisconsin
newspapers and some of their employees. The circuit court held that Van Straten failed to comply with sec. 802.08(3), Stats.,
requiring the responding party to a motion for summary judgment to set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine
issue for trial. The circuit court found that even disregarding this failure, the newspapers were entitled to summary judgment
because Van Straten was a limited purpose public figure and he failed to make the required showing of actual malice. Additionally,
the circuit court concluded that even if Van Straten was not a limited purpose public figure, the newspapers that relied on
a wire service for the contents of their articles about Van Straten were not negligent as a matter of law. Because we agree
that Van Straten was a limited purpose public figure who did not show actual malice, we affirm the summary judgment. Van Straten attempted suicide on October 24, 1985, while he was an inmate awaiting trial at the Outagamie County Jail. He
was taken to a local hospital where he received more than forty stitches to wounds on his wrist and forearm. He was then
involuntarily admitted to the Winnebago Mental Health Institution (WMHI) where his blood was tested for exposure to the AIDS
virus. After returning to the Outagamie County Jail, Van Straten was informed, on November 8, that he had tested positive
to exposure to the AIDS virus. He voluntarily transferred back to WMHI, but he never consented to a disclosure of any medical
information to anyone.