No. 17-1542October Term 2018Decided Feb 19, 2019
McKee v. Cosby
Kathrine Mae McKee sued William H.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Feb 19, 2019
- What it's about
Kathrine Mae McKee sued William H. Cosby, Jr. for defamation after publicly accusing him of sexual misconduct. The case asks whether a victim who speaks out publicly about their abuse becomes a limited-purpose public figure who must prove actual malice to win a defamation lawsuit.
Question presented
Whether a victim of sexual misconduct who makes a public statement about the incident is a “limited-purpose public figure” under New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964), and its progeny, such that she must prove “actual malice” in order to maintain a defamation action against her accuser.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit / Decision released Feb 19, 2019
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided February 19, 2019
The Court released its decision on February 19, 2019 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology