Burns v. Denver Post, Inc.’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

1 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 1 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““[B]omb squad was called out to do its job, take care of an explosive device and keep it from harming any property or individuals. It seemed to be a routine bomb call; the explosive device was found wired to a car. But the bomb squad’s experts were confident they could handle it. As the officers went to work, Sgt. Jack Bums was in charge. That was the last bomb he’ll ever work on. It exploded ... taking all of his right hand, parts of his left hand, most of his eyesight and much of his hearing. In addition, Ms wife and five cMldren have deserted him since the accident. He’s not sure he and his family adequately assessed what might be the consequences of an accident on the job with the bomb squad and he advises those interested in a dangerous occupation to do so.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Burns v. McGraw-Hill Broadcasting Co., Inc.

2. ““As we read Burns and Bucher , we may not inquire into what meaning is most naturally or reasonably attributable to a publisher’s use of given language. The question, rather, is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to admit of only one meaning. Here, we cannot say categorically that the word ‘deserted,’ as used in the context of the broadcast at issue, carries solely opprobrious connotations.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Burns v. McGraw-Hill Broadcasting Co., Inc.