Cruce v. Berkeley County School District

Syllabus

Berkeley County School District (the District) appeals the circuit court's denial of its motions for a directed verdict and a judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) on Jeffrey Lance Cruce's defamation cause of action. The District contends it had absolute sovereign immunity because Cruce qualified as either a public official or a limited public figure. It also maintains Cruce failed to prove each element of defamation. We reverse.