ÿWPC¤ »Œ`È«²ÿ½þåþí~å™Þ«ÞÃ9ÅÅ÷ Ö@f<ÝÆ¡2ñÀ;‘űÅþ÷Õί j:"[R;ÿ%wdš¬îCîShÂJKçz› .ãûóÁ{«ÿ`7º- _YV«  d3²¾ÔаßL6va8OưeVÇ”휭îÍK×ÉËó`q þ¥âÐ ®ÉŠiw©X¸…J_=u©$ø6ÉŸ@’MÄô±žÑ¬¿oçÖ+—›åZU:±¹©ßg¬ÆKj¿'‘œcÔØ.Œ`þÝPH=L"¸¼KbNL䨥ª« ëµÖñe}rÿ…hÂÙÕÙNG™IKU(–òøx§:•EþÍKIÒ©}¯Íòá=ïÜàCàKÞL-Ôt[RYR¿ßS@=áÙâÈÛóÀŽKL]pÞDo‡vÙ£(–£ò:þ…žóúŽÇðLŠCì¨P¯‹›Eˆ9;× DŽ4J©€)Ñ82䆽œ]ÇÕËãš%yx~” `ŸeUÛÙõ'7ÕX(Tu§P#"'¦Ù ޼ jbjùE4XÓ½\öž)Ƀà)½AÇWŒ4^¾g?ŽºÇ3tO†üÑIÕ¾}È…äb‚‚ºÉŽ0 )e¢cÎTI¿S™Ýô¶ŸŸ`Kb#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ UN· w 4 z Ò— i x mz z Æ‘ ÆW Æ Æã 0D©Ní-ïùExb———————————————————————————————————— 0럟ŸŸ BŠŠ 0¤§ D5K D-€ 0K­­ ASøÆK 0¤ 0Dµ A«ù˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»Ew -s (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular9‚±,.bk1p’œ ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó #Ñ#€CXÿÿd#Ñ ïÝ ƒRÈ¿$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¡X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôð}òXX¡ÔThe€plaintiff€also€claims€the€trial€court€erred€by€failing€to€follow€its€own€local€rules€of€practice.€€He€contendsÐ ° Ðthat€the€trial€court€did€not€order€the€defendants€to€provide€copies€of€ð ðfour€(4)€other€state€decisions€and€one€TennesseeÐ tÄ Ðunpublished€decisionðð€which€he€claims€they€cited€in€support€of€their€motion€to€dismiss,€but€did€not€provide€to€him.€€WeÐ 8ˆ Ðdecline€to€address€this€issue€for€two€reasons.€€First,€we€find€no€indication€that€the€issue€was€raised€in€the€trial€court,€andÐ üL Ðissues€may€not€be€raised€for€the€first€time€on€appeal.€òòIn€re€Valleóó,€31€S.W.3d€566,€571€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).€ò òó ó€Second,Ð À Ðeven€if€the€issue€had€been€raised€with€the€trial€court,€the€record€does€not€contain€the€supposedly€objectionable€document,Ð „Ô Ðand€the€ð ðappellant€has€the€primary€burden€to€see€that€a€proper€record€is€prepared€on€appeal€and€filed€in€this€court.ðð€Ð H ˜ ÐòòMcDonald€v.€Ô_ÔOnohÔ_Ôóó,€772€S.W.2d€913,€914€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989). nÝ ƒRÈ¿$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¡X»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôð}òXX¡ÔBecause€of€our€disposition€of€this€appeal€on€other€grounds,€we€need€not€address€the€ð ðwire€service€defense,ððÐ ° Ði.e.,€whether€reliance€on€a€wire€service€negates€the€element€of€negligence. - ù-(|G2È¿$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€J-»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¡X»»Ô d(|3‰Q$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€J-»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3‰Q$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€J-»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€J-»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼J-»»»ÔÑ€;DÑà@¦ ¦ ìàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@§§$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÐ  Ðà@Ô Ô ìàAssigned€on€Briefs€April€7,€2000ˆÐ Ô$ ÐÔ‡X¡X»¼J-ÔÌò òÔ#†¼J-»XX¡ƒ#ÔÓ  ÓRONALD€L.€DAVIS€v.€THE€TENNESSEAN,€òòet€alóó.ó óÐ Ò" ÐÓÉÓÌò òà@6 6 ìàÔ€X¡X»¼J-ÔAppeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Davidson€CountyˆÐ ø H Ðà@ª ª ìàNo.€99„C1888€€€€€€Barbara€N.€Haynes,€JudgeˆÐ ä 4 ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<§` A߈Ð ¨ø  ÐÌà@Ç Ç ìàNo.€M1999„01602„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€August€21,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ԈР£ó  Ðó óÌßA€V) °°` dE<z` AßÐ {Ë  ÐÌThe€plaintiff€filed€a€libel€action€against€a€newspaper,€òòThe€Tennesseanóó,€its€publisher€and€its€editor,Ð vÆ  Ðalleging€his€reputation€had€been€harmed€by€a€sentence€in€an€article€which€stated€that€he€had€shot€aÐ b² Ðman,€when,€in€fact,€his€co„defendant€had€killed€the€victim.€€The€trial€court€granted€the€defendantsððÐ Nž Ðmotion€to€dismiss,€finding€the€plaintiff€to€be€ð ðlibel€proofðð€in€this€matter€because€he€had€beenÐ :Š Ðconvicted€of€aiding€and€abetting€in€the€murder€and€incarcerated€for€the€remainder€of€his€life€for€theÐ &v Ðcrime,€ð ðÔ_Ôrender[ingÔ_Ô]€any€reputation€he€may€have€had€virtually€valueless.ðð€We€affirm.Ð b ÐÌò òà  àTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€CourtÐ ê: ÐÓ  ÓAffirmed€and€RemandedÐ Ö& ÐÓ¹Óà@ìì*ìàó óˆÌÌòòPatricia€J.€Cottrell,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòBen€H.€Ô_ÔCantrellÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô€M.S.,óóÐ šê Ðand€òòWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jróó.,€J.€joined.Ð †Ö ÐÌRonald€L.€Davis,€Only,€Tennessee,€Pro€se.Ð ^® ÐÌAlfred€H.€Knight,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellees,€The€Tennessean,€et€al.Ð 6!†  ÐÌà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ #^" ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff,€Ronald€L.€Davis,€is€an€inmate€of€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Correction.€HeÐ æ$6 $ Ðwas€convicted€of€aiding€and€abetting€murder€in€the€second€degree,€and€sentenced€to€ninety„nine€yearsÐ Ò%"!% Ðin€prison.€€His€co„defendant,€Tommy€L.€King,€was€convicted€of€felony€murder€and€sentenced€toÐ ¾&"& Ðdeath.Ð ª'ú"' ÐÌà  àIn€June€1999,€òòThe€Tennesseanóó,€a€newspaper,€published€an€article€copyrighted€by€theÐ ‚)Ò$) ÐAssociated€Press€reporting€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Courtððs€decision€upholding€the€death€sentenceÐ n*¾%* Ðof€Tommy€King.€€òòSee€King€v.€Stateóó,€992€S.W.2d€946,€947€(Tenn.€1999),€òòcert€deniedóó,€528€U.S.€1007Ð Z+ª&+ Ð(1999).€€The€Courtððs€opinion€stated,€in€pertinent€part:Ð F,–', ÐÐ 2-‚(-ý ÐÑ;DÑâ âÑ8€¡XXdì»»d8Ñâ âÑ  Ñà8  àThe€defendant,€Tommy€Lee€King,€and€his€co„defendant,€Ronald€Davis,€entered€aÐ ° Ðtavern€in€May€of€1982.€€The€defendant€fired€a€shot€into€the€air€and€ordered€theÐ œì Ðtavernððs€patrons€and€owner€to€lie€down€on€the€floor.€€The€defendant€robbed€theÐ ˆØ Ðpatrons,€rifled€through€the€tavernððs€cash€register€and€took€the€ownerððs€car€keys.€Ð tÄ ÐApparently,€the€defendant€then€without€provocation€shot€the€tavern€owner,€who€wasÐ `° Ðlying€on€the€floor.€.€.€.€The€tavern€owner€died€approximately€one€week€later€as€a€resultÐ L œ Ðof€the€gunshot€wound.Ð8 ˆÐ Ð  ÐÌòòIdóó.Ð  ` ÐÌà  àThe€Associated€Press€article€in€òòThe€Tennesseanóó€reported€the€decision€of€the€Supreme€CourtÐ è 8  Ðupholding€Mr.€Kingððs€death€sentences,€including€the€following€statements:Ð Ô$  ÐÌà8  àThe€state€Supreme€Court€Monday€upheld€the€death€penalty€for€a€man€who€killed€aÐ ¬ü  ÐMaury€County€tavern€owner€in€1982€.€.€.€€[Two€justices],€in€a€separate€opinion,€saidÐ ˜è  ÐTommy€Lee€King€was€guilty€of€first€degree€murder€but€should€not€be€sentenced€toÐ „Ô  Ðdeath.€.€.€.€King€was€convicted€in€the€robbery€of€tavern€patrons€and€the€shooting€deathÐ pÀ Ðof€its€owner.Ð\¬Ð Ð  Ðà@oo(ìà.€.€.ˆÐ H˜ ÐÌà8  àKing€and€co„defendant€Ronald€Davis€entered€a€tavern,€ordered€patrons€to€lie€on€theÐ  p Ðfloor€and€robbed€them.€€Before€leaving,€Davis€shot€the€owner€as€he€lay€on€the€floor.Ð \Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€last€sentence,€factually€attributing€the€shooting€to€Mr.€Davis,€was€inaccurate€and€formsÐ ä4 Ðthe€basis€of€Mr.€Davisððs€ð ðComplaint€for€Libel€and€Slander.ðð€€He€alleged€the€defendants€publishedÐ Ð  Ðthis€false€statement€with€reckless€disregard€for€the€truth€and€with€malice.Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àThe€defendants€filed€a€motion€to€dismiss€for€failure€to€state€a€claim€upon€which€relief€can€beÐ ”ä Ðgranted,€relying€on€the€wire€service€defense€for€libel€defendants€which€has€been€applied€by€courtsÐ €Ð Ðof€other€states€for€a€number€of€years.€€They€asserted€the€article€ð ðwas€an€Associated€Press€story€whichÐ l¼ Ðwas€republished€by€the€defendants€without€substantial€change,€and€without€knowing€or€having€reasonÐ X ¨ Ðto€know€that€it€contained€a€significant€inaccuracy.ðð׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€defendants€also€asserted€that,€because€theÐ D!” Ðplaintiff€was€convicted€of€aiding€and€abetting€the€murder€and€had€been€sentenced€to€99€years€inÐ 0"€  Ðprison,€he€was€ð ðððlibel„proof,ðð€having€no€reputation€that€is€capable€of€being€injured€or€substantiallyÐ #l! Ðcompensated€for.ððÐ $X" ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€considered€the€written€submissions€of€the€parties€and€granted€the€defendantsððÐ à%0!$ Ðmotion€to€dismiss,€stating€in€its€order:Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà8  àThe€plaintiff€is€currently€serving€a€99€year€sentence€in€the€Tennessee€StateÐ ¤(ô#' ÐPenitentiary€as€a€result€of€aiding€and€abetting€in€the€murder€which€is€referred€to€in€hisÐ ° Ðcomplaint.€€The€Court€is€of€the€opinion€that€this€conviction€of€an€infamous€offenseÐ œì Ðresulting€in€his€incarceration€for€what€may€be€the€remainder€of€his€life€renders€anyÐ ˆØ Ðreputation€he€may€have€virtually€valueless€and€that€he€is€in€the€eyes€of€the€law€ð ðlibelÐ tÄ Ðproof.ðð€€Since€he€has€no€substantial€reputation€that€could€have€been€injured€by€theÐ `° Ðmatter€stated€in€the€article€of€which€he€complains,€his€libel€claim€should€beÐ L œ Ðdismissed.Ð8 ˆÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff€appeals,€contending€the€trial€court€erred€by€dismissing€his€complaint.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð  ` ÐÌÓ  ÓI.Ð è 8  ÐÓ  ÓÌà8  àA€Rule€12.02(6),€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.,€motion€to€dismiss€for€failure€to€state€a€claim€uponÐ À  Ðwhich€relief€can€be€granted€tests€only€the€legal€sufficiency€of€the€complaint,€not€theÐ ¬ü  Ðstrength€of€a€plaintiff's€proof.€€Such€a€motion€admits€the€truth€of€all€relevant€andÐ ˜è  Ðmaterial€averments€contained€in€the€complaint,€but€asserts€that€such€facts€do€notÐ „Ô  Ðconstitute€a€cause€of€action.€€In€considering€a€motion€to€dismiss,€courts€shouldÐ pÀ Ðconstrue€the€complaint€liberally€in€favor€of€the€plaintiff,€taking€all€allegations€of€factÐ \¬ Ðas€true,€and€deny€the€motion€unless€it€appears€that€the€plaintiff€can€prove€no€set€ofÐ H˜ Ðfacts€in€support€of€[his]€claim€that€would€entitle€[him]€to€relief.€€òòCook€v.€Spinnaker'sÐ 4„ Ðof€Ô_ÔRivergateÔ_Ô,€Inc.óó,€878€S.W.2d€934,€938€(Tenn.€1994).€€In€considering€this€appealÐ  p Ðfrom€the€trial€court's€grant€of€the€defendant's€motion€to€dismiss,€we€take€allÐ  \ Ðallegations€of€fact€in€the€plaintiff's€complaint€as€true,€and€review€the€lower€courts'Ð øH Ðlegal€conclusions€òòde€novoóó€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.€€€Ðä4Ð Ð  ÐÌòòKing€v.€Ô_ÔDanekÔ_Ô€Med.,€Inc.óó,€37€S.W.3d€429,€453„54€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000)€(quoting€òòStein€v.€DavidsonÐ ¼  ÐHotel€Co.óó,€945€S.W.2d€714,€716€(Tenn.€1997)).Ð ¨ø ÐÌÓ  ÓII.Ð €Ð ÐÌÓT$Óà  àThe€plaintiff€claims€that€the€defendants€libeled€him.€€Libel€and€slander€are€both€forms€ofÐ X ¨ Ðdefamation;€libel€being€written€defamation€and€slander€being€spoken€defamation.€€òòQuality€Auto€PartsÐ D!” ÐCo.,€Inc.€v.€Bluff€City€Buick€Co.,€Inc.óó,€876€S.W.2d€818,€820€(Tenn.€1994).€€To€establish€a€òòprima€facieóóÐ 0"€  Ðcase€of€defamation,€the€plaintiff€must€prove€that€(1)€a€party€published€a€statement;€(2)€withÐ #l! Ðknowledge€that€the€statement€was€false€and€defaming€to€the€other;€or€(3)€with€reckless€disregard€forÐ $X" Ðthe€truth€of€the€statement€or€with€negligence€in€failing€to€ascertain€the€truth€of€the€statement.€Ð ° ÐòòSullivan€v.€Baptist€Ô_ÔMemððlÔ_Ô€Hosp.óó,€995€S.W.2d€569,€571€(Tenn.€1999)€(relying€on€òòRestatementÐ œì Ð(Second)€of€Tortsóó€ðð€580€B€(1977)).€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àHowever,€ð ðthe€basis€for€an€action€for€defamation,€whether€it€be€slander€or€libel,€is€that€theÐ `° Ðdefamation€has€resulted€in€an€injury€to€the€person's€character€and€reputation.ðð€òòQuality€Auto€Partsóó,Ð L œ Ð876€S.W.2d€at€820.€€To€be€actionable,€the€allegedly€defamatory€statement€must€ð ðconstitute€a€seriousÐ 8 ˆ Ðthreat€to€the€plaintiffððs€reputation.ðð€€òòStones€River€Motors,€Inc.€v.€Mid„South€Ô_ÔPublððgÔ_Ô€Coóó.,€651€S.W.2dÐ $ t Ð713,€719€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983).€€Damages€from€false€or€inaccurate€statements€cannot€be€presumed;Ð  ` Ðactual€damage€must€be€sustained€and€proved.€€òòMemphis€Ô_ÔPublððgÔ_Ô€Co.€v.€Nicholsóó,€569€S.W.2d€412,€416,€Ð ü L  Ð419€(Tenn.€1978).Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àIt€is€from€these€general€principles€establishing€that€the€gravamen€of€a€libel€claim€is€injury€toÐ À  Ðreputation€that€the€concept€of€ððlibel€proofðð€parties€has€arisen.€€This€doctrine€essentially€holds€that€ð ðaÐ ¬ü  Ðnotorious€person€is€without€a€ððgood€nameðð€and€therefore€may€not€recover€for€injury€to€it.ðð€€òòRobertÐ ˜è  ÐD.€Sackóó,€òòSack€on€Defamation:€Libel,€Slander€and€Related€Problemsóó€35€(Cum.€Supp.€1998).Ð „Ô  ÐÌà8  àIf€the€purpose€of€defamation€law€is€to€guard€against€harm€to€reputation,€a€personÐ \¬ Ðwithout€reputation€has€nothing€for€the€law€of€defamation€to€protect.€€Whether€for€thisÐ H˜ Ðreason,€or€because€courts€wish€to€rid€their€dockets€of€and€spare€defendants€fromÐ 4„ Ðnuisance€suits€by€people€with€nothing€legitimate€to€gain€from€such€litigation,€someÐ  p Ðcourts€have€held€that€there€are€persons€so€notorious€that€they€have€no€reputation€onÐ  \ Ðwhich€to€base€a€defamation€claim.€€Their€suits€are€necessarily€frivolous.€€They€areÐ øH Ðsaid€to€be€ð ðlibel„proof.ððÐä4Ð Ð  ÐÌòòIdóó.€at€36.Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àA€number€of€jurisdictions€have€adopted€the€ð ðlibel„proofðð€doctrine,€and€it€has€often€beenÐ ”ä Ðapplied€in€a€situation€where€the€plaintiffððs€complaint€is€that€the€publication€accused€him€of€the€wrongÐ €Ð Ðcrimes.€€For€example,€in€òòÔ_ÔCardilloÔ_Ô€v.€Doubleday€&€Co.,€Inc.óó,€518€F.2d€638€(2d€Cir.€1975),€plaintiffÐ l¼ Ðsued€a€book€author€and€publisher€who€accused€him€of€various€criminal€activities,€denyingÐ X ¨ Ðparticipation€in€some€of€them.€€The€court€concluded€he€was€guilty€of€other€crimes€attributed€to€himÐ D!” Ðin€the€book€and€dismissed€the€action€because€he€was€libel„proof,€explaining€that€term€as€ð ðso€unlikelyÐ 0"€  Ðby€virtue€of€his€life€as€a€habitual€criminal€to€be€able€to€recover€anything€other€than€nominal€damagesÐ #l! Ðas€to€warrant€dismissal€of€the€case.€.€.€.€ðð€òòIdóó.€at€639.Ð $X" ÐÌà  àA€federal€court€in€this€state€has€applied€the€doctrine€in€òòRay€v.€Time,€Inc.óó,€452€F.€Supp.€618Ð à%0!$ Ð(W.D.€Tenn.€1976),€òòÔ_ÔaffððdÔ_Ôóó,€582€F.2d€1280€(6th€Cir.€1980),€regarding€a€claim€by€James€Earl€Ray€thatÐ Ì&"% Ða€publication€had€libeled€him€as€a€ð ðnarcotics€addict€and€peddlerðð€and€another€defamed€him€byÐ ¸'#& Ðreferring€to€him€as€a€robber.€€òòIdóó.€at€622.€€In€examining€this€claim,€the€court€stated:Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà8  àThe€Court€is€persuaded,€in€the€light€of€all€the€circumstances€in€this€cause€and€in€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðpublic€record€involved€in€the€other€cases€mentioned,€that€plaintiff,€James€E.€Ray,€isÐ h+¸&* Ðlibel„proof,€as€that€term€was€used€in€òòÔ_ÔCardilloÔ_Ô€v.€Doubleday€&€Co.,€Inc.óó,€518€F.2dÐ ° Ð638,€639€(2d€Cir.€1975).€€Ray,€as€Ô_ÔCardilloÔ_Ô,€is€a€convicted€habitual€criminal€and€is€soÐ œì Ðunlikely€to€be€able€to€recover€damages€to€his€reputation€as€to€warrant€dismissal€of€hisÐ ˆØ Ðlibel€claim€in€the€light€of€First€Amendment€considerations€attendant€to€publicationÐ tÄ Ðof€material€dealing€with€his€background€and€his€criminal€activities.€€òòSee€also€Ô_ÔUrbanoÔ_ÔÐ `° Ðv.€Ô_ÔSondernÔ_Ôóó,€370€F.2d€13€(2d€Cir.€1966),€cert.€den.,€386€U.S.€1034,€87€S.€Ct.€1485,€18Ð L œ ÐÔ_ÔL.EdÔ_Ô.2d€596€(1967),€Ô_ÔaffððgÔ_Ô,€41€Ô_ÔF.R.D.Ô_Ô€355€(D.€Conn.€1966)€and€òòÔ_ÔUrbanoÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔFawcettÔ_ÔÐ 8 ˆ ÐPublicationsóó,€370€F.2d€14€(2d€Cir.€1966).Ð$ tÐ Ð  ÐÌòòId.óóÐ ü L  ÐÌà  àAt€least€one€other€trial€court€in€this€state€has€applied€the€libel„proof€doctrine€to€dismiss€a€libelÐ Ô$  Ðaction.€€òòRogers€v.€Jackson€Sun€Newspaperóó,€No.€C„94„301,€1995€WL€383000€(Tenn.€Cir.€Ct.€Jan.€30,Ð À  Ð1995).€€In€that€case,€the€òòJackson€Sunóó€had€reported€the€criminal€record€of€a€defendant€who€had€Ô_ÔhadÔ_ÔÐ ¬ü  Ðcharges€of€aggravated€assault€against€him€dismissed€at€trial.€€He€sued€the€òòSunóó€for€libel,€claiming€that,Ð ˜è  Ðalthough€he€had€a€criminal€record,€it€was€less€severe€than€the€record€published€by€the€newspaper.€Ð „Ô  ÐThe€article€stated€that€the€plaintiff€had€convictions€of€ð ðtwo€aggravated€robberies,€one€robbery,€oneÐ pÀ Ðassault€to€commit€aggravated€robbery,€six€weapons€violations€and€a€burglary€conviction.ðð€€TheÐ \¬ Ðplaintiff€contended€that€his€actual€record€consisted€of€ð ðconvictions€for€third€degree€burglary,€twoÐ H˜ Ðrobberies€armed€with€a€deadly€weapon,€one€simple€robbery€and€one€assault€with€intent€to€rob.ððÐ 4„ ÐÌà  àThe€court€dismissed€the€complaint,€relying€upon€the€ð ðlibel„proofðð€defense€adopted€in€òòRay€v.Ð  \ ÐTime,€Inc.óó,€and€cases€from€other€jurisdictions.€€The€court€held€ð ðas€a€matter€of€law,€PlaintiffððsÐ øH Ðreputation€in€the€community€at€the€time€of€the€articleððs€publication€was€so€severely€tarnished,€he€isÐ ä4 Ðððlibel„proofðð€and€may€not€maintain€this€defamation€action€for€an€allegedly€erroneous€report€of€hisÐ Ð  Ðcriminal€record.ðð€€òòIdóó.€at€*1.Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àThis€court€applied€the€ð ðlibel„proofðð€defense€in€òòÔ_ÔCokerÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔSundquistÔ_Ôóó,€No.€01A01„9806„BC„Ð ”ä Ð00318,€1998€WL€736655,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€23,€1998)€(òòperm.€app.€deniedóó€May,€10,€1999),Ð €Ð Ðfinding€that,€as€a€matter€of€law,€the€plaintiff€ð ðwould€suffer€no€damages€to€his€reputation€by€the€wordsÐ l¼ Ðalleged€to€have€been€spoken.ðð€€In€that€opinion,€this€court€examined€the€concept€of€injury€toÐ X ¨ Ðreputation,€statingÐ D!” ÐÌà8  àCharacter€is:€The€predisposition€or€habit,€or€aggregate€of€ethical€qualities€whichÐ #l! Ðbelong€to€and€distinguish€an€individual€person;€the€general€result€of€the€oneððsÐ $X" Ðdistinguishing€attributes.€€That€moral€predisposition€or€habit€or€aggregate€of€ethicalÐ ô$D # Ðqualities,€which€is€believed€attached€to€a€person€on€the€strength€of€the€commonÐ à%0!$ Ðopinion€and€report€concerning€him.€€Although€ð ðcharacterðð€is€often€used€in€the€senseÐ Ì&"% Ðof€ð ðreputationðð,€the€terms€are€distinguishable.€€ð ðCharacterðð€is€what€a€man€is,€andÐ ¸'#& Ðreputation€is€what€he€is€supposed€to€be.€€ð ðCharacterðð€depends€on€attributes€possessed,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðand€reputation€on€attributes€which€others€believe€one€to€possess.€€òòBlackððs€LawÐ )à$( ÐDictionary,€Fourth€Editionóó,€p.€294.Ð|*Ì%)Ð Ð  ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà8  àThe€words,€character€and€reputation€have€been€used€interchangeably€because€whereÐ ° Ðcharacter€is€relevant,€it€is€proved€by€a€ð ðcharacter€witnessðð€whose€testimony€must€beÐ œì Ðconfined€to€reputation.€€Thus,€ð ðcharacterðð€must€be€proven€by€reputation€and€not€byÐ ˆØ Ðacts.ÐtÄÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àIn€òòQuality€Auto€Parts€Co.,€Inc.€v.€Bluff€City€Buick€Co.,€Inc.,€et€alóó.,€the€appeal€wasÐ L œ Ðfrom€the€dismissal€of€the€suit€of€an€employee€of€Bluff€City€against€his€employer€forÐ 8 ˆ Ðslander€by€accusing€him€of€falsifying€records.€€The€Supreme€Court€dismissed€theÐ $ t Ðslander€action€as€time„barred€and€said:Ð `Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€basis€of€an€action€for€defamation,€whether€it€be€for€slander€orÐ è 8  Ðlibel,€is€the€defamation€resulted€in€an€injury€to€the€personððs€characterÐ Ô$  Ðand€reputation.ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àClearly,€the€words€ð ðcharacter€and€reputationðð€were€intended€to€mean€ð ðreputation€inÐ ˜è  Ðrespect€to€character,€for€character€may€be€shown€only€by€reputation.ððÐ„Ô Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àIn€òòLittle€Stores€v.€Ô_ÔIsenbergÔ_Ôóó,€the€plaintiff€obtained€a€jury€verdict€for€damages€from€aÐ \¬ Ðfalse€allegation€of€shoplifting.€€This€Court€affirmed€and€said:ÐH˜Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€ð ðcharacterðð€of€an€accused€means€his€fixed€disposition€orÐ  p Ðtendency,€as€shown€by€his€habits,€through€the€manifestation€of€whichÐ  \ Ðhis€general€reputation,€good€or€otherwise,€is€obtained.€€òòKeith€v.€Stateóó,Ð øH Ð127€Tenn.€40,€152€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€1029€(1913).Ðä4` x` x ÐÌà8  àThe€claim€shows€on€its€face€that€the€claimant€is€a€convicted€murderer€worthy€ofÐ ¼  Ðdeath.€€Therefore,€neither€his€reputation€nor€his€character€could€be€impaired€by€theÐ ¨ø Ðlanguage€allegedly€spoken€and€published.ДäÐ Ð  ÐÌòòIdóó.€at€*4.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àAs€the€òòÔ_ÔCokerÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔSundquistÔ_Ôóó€opinion€makes€clear,€it€is€injury€to€oneððs€reputation€for€goodÐ D!” Ðcharacter€with€the€public€which€is€necessary€for€an€actionable€claim€of€defamation.€€A€libel€does€notÐ 0"€  Ðoccur€unless€the€words€are€ð ðreasonably€construable€as€holding€the€plaintiff€up€to€public€hatred,Ð #l! Ðcontempt,€or€ridicule.ðð€€òòStones€River€Motors,€Inc.óó,€651€S.W.2d€at€719.€€To€constitute€actionableÐ $X" Ðdefamation€there€must€be€impairment€of€reputation€and/or€standing€in€the€community.€€òòHandley€v.Ð ô$D # ÐMayóó,€588€S.W.2d€772,€776€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1979).€€To€suffer€injury€to€oneððs€standing€in€theÐ à%0!$ Ðcommunity,€or€damage€to€oneððs€public€reputation,€one€must€possess€good€standing€and€reputationÐ Ì&"% Ðfor€good€character€to€begin€with.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àIn€òòAli€v.€Mooreóó,€984€S.W.2d€224€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998),€this€court€considered,€among€otherÐ )à$( Ðissues,€whether€a€broadcastððs€depiction€of€plaintiffððs€attempts€to€bribe€two€persons€was€actionableÐ |*Ì%) Ðas€libelous€when€the€plaintiff€was€later€acquitted€of€one€count€of€attempted€bribery.€€Although€weÐ h+¸&* Ðdid€not€use€the€term€ð ðlibel„proof,ðð€we€analyzed€the€injury€to€reputation€on€similar€principles.€€ThisÐ ° Ðcourt€held:Ð œì ÐÌà8  àWhether€Ali,€in€fact,€only€attempted€to€bribe€one€of€these€persons€is€immaterial€inÐ tÄ Ðlight€of€these€circumstances.€€Since€Ali€was€convicted€of€one€count€of€attemptedÐ `° Ðbribery,€his€reputation€was€already€tarnished.€€We€do€not€believe€that€Aliððs€reputationÐ L œ Ðsuffered€further€disgrace€for€being€accused€of€twice€committing€attempted€bribery€inÐ 8 ˆ Ðlight€of€the€fact€that€he€was€convicted€of€rape€and€one€act€of€attempted€bribery.Ð$ tÐ Ð  ÐÌòòAlióó,€984€S.W.2d€at€230.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àThus,€Tennessee€courts€have€held€that€a€plaintiff€in€a€libel€action€must€be€able€to€show€thatÐ Ô$  Ðhis€or€her€standing€in€the€community€and€his€public€reputation€for€character€has€been€injured€by€theÐ À  Ðinaccurate€statement€and,€further,€must€have€suffered€real€or€actual€damages€due€to€that€loss€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðstanding€or€reputation.€€Mr.€Davis€has€claimed€his€ð ðlife€has€been€put€into€danger€by€other€inmates,Ð ˜è  Ðhis€reputation€as€a€paralegal€injured,€[and€he€has]€suffered€humiliation,€severe€emotional€distress€andÐ „Ô  Ðmental€anguish,€family€bonding,€marriage€proceedings,€interference€with€criminal€appeal,€ridicule,Ð pÀ Ðetc.ðð€€He€sought,€among€other€relief,€òòóó$700,000€in€compensatory€and€punitive€damages.Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àAlthough€Mr.€Davis€alleges€he€suffered€unjustified€humiliation€because€of€the€publication,Ð 4„ Ðhe€does€not€allege€his€public€reputation€has€been€injured.€€We€conclude€he€cannot€show€such€injuryÐ  p Ðbecause,€at€the€time€of€the€publication,€he€was€serving€a€ninety„nine€year€sentence€for€aiding€andÐ  \ Ðabetting€the€€murder€which€is€the€subject€of€the€article€and€his€complaint.€€He€participated€in€theÐ øH Ðcrime€which€resulted€in€the€murder.€€His€character€reputation€with€the€public€was€established€andÐ ä4 Ðcould€not€be€harmed€by€inaccurate€attribution€to€him€of€conduct€which€was€part€of€the€crime€inÐ Ð  Ðwhich€he€participated.€€His€continued€incarceration€for€a€long€time€after€the€publication€rendersÐ ¼  Ðactual€damage,€with€regard€to€his€standing€in€the€community,€as€a€result€of€the€article€unlikely.€òòóó€òòSeeÐ ¨ø ÐÔ_ÔCokerÔ_Ôóó,€1998€WL€736655,€at€*3„4€€(inmate€had€ð ðreputation€.€.€.€of€a€murdererðð€which€could€not€beÐ ”ä Ðharmed€by€inaccurate€exaggeration).Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àThus,€we€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€Mr.€Davisððs€conviction€resulting€in€incarceration€forÐ X ¨ Ð99€years€ð ðrenders€any€reputation€he€may€have€virtually€valueless€and€that€he€is€in€the€eyes€of€the€lawÐ D!” Ðððlibel„proof.ððððÐ 0"€  ÐÓ  ÓÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌ€ÌÐ h+¸&* ÐIII.Ð ° ÐÓ‹bÓÌà  àWe€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€dismissal€of€the€plaintiffððs€complaint,€and€remand€the€case€forÐ ˆØ Ðsuch€further€proceedings€as€may€be€necessary.€€Costs€are€taxed€to€the€appellant,€Ronald€L.€Davis,€forÐ tÄ Ðwhich€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð `° ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð  ` Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPATRICIA€J.€COTTRELL,€JUDGE