Journalist and Newspaper Editor/Publisher. He is best known as a defendant in a landmark trial, which determined that truth was a defense against charges of libel. Born in present-day Germany, he came to New York City where he started printing The New York Journal in 1733 to voice his opinions with the trivial policies of the newly appointed colonial New York governor, William Cosby. On November 17, 1734, he was arrested on the orders of Cosby and charged with seditious libel. After spending more than eight months in prison, his case went to trial, with the illustrious Philadelphia lawyer Andrew Hamilton as his attorney. Hamilton pleaded his case directly to the jury and established the precedent that a statement, even if it is defamatory, is not libelous if it can be proved. After the arguments from both sides were finished, the jury found him not guilty of the charges.
Journalist and Newspaper Editor/Publisher. He is best known as a defendant in a landmark trial, which determined that truth was a defense against charges of libel. Born in present-day Germany, he came to New York City where he started printing The New York Journal in 1733 to voice his opinions with the trivial policies of the newly appointed colonial New York governor, William Cosby. On November 17, 1734, he was arrested on the orders of Cosby and charged with seditious libel. After spending more than eight months in prison, his case went to trial, with the illustrious Philadelphia lawyer Andrew Hamilton as his attorney. Hamilton pleaded his case directly to the jury and established the precedent that a statement, even if it is defamatory, is not libelous if it can be proved. After the arguments from both sides were finished, the jury found him not guilty of the charges.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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