Romaine v. Kallinger,

109 N.J. 282, 537 A.2d 284 (1988)

Facts

A nonfiction book was written about a man who went on a criminal rampage. One episode described events in the Romaine house. Part of the episode described a Maria Fasching as very good-natured, and her friend Randi Romaine (P). P claimed that the following sentence accused her of criminality or associations with criminals: 'Besides, Maria was eager for news from Randi about a junkie they both knew who was doing time in prison.' P sued the publisher and the author. The trial court granted D's motion for summary judgment which was affirmed at the appellate level.