I Who is the plaintiff? By name and legally.
II Who are the defendants?
III Facts of the case
Mayoral race
Rumors about Coody, acknowledged and evidence submitted to media
NWAT hires investigator
Editorial "Facade" on Saturday before election
Article "Probe" on Election Day (acknowledged hiring investigator and mentioning confidential source)
IV Elements of Libel
Where is defamatory language? Libel per quod ("libel by innuendo")
Was there actual malice? (consider Stokes' motivation)
Falsity?
V Defenses
Substantial truth
Opinion
Privilege
VI Jury Trial
Defendants found liable, Coody awarded judgment of $275,000
VII State Supreme Court Appeal
Arkansas Supreme Court overturns verdict, found no actual malice
Did not have to reach questions of defamatory language and falsity
VIII Petition for Certiorari
Denied
IX Precedent