Norman Roy Grutman
Role at the time: Attorney arguing for Jerry Falwell
Condemned
Statement summary
Falwell's attorney opens his argument by saying that deliberate, malicious character assassination has no First Amendment protection and that it is what was proven in the case.
“Deliberate, malicious character assassination is not protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.”
Read the original text (opens in a new tab)Hustler Magazine v. Falwell: official oral-argument transcript · Supreme Court of the United StatesNo. 86-1278; arguments of Alan L. Isaacman and Norman Roy Grutman
Counsel present opposing arguments about parody, public figures and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
Relative to the parody, Grutman expressly attacks its publication as malicious injury that should permit liability.