Harold and Hazel Hester v. Donald R‪.‬

The action for damages by the plaintiffs Hester, husband and wife, against defendant Barnett, a Baptist clergyman, commenced as a petition in defamation. The motion of the defendant to dismiss that petition was sustained, and the plaintiffs were granted leave to present a more definite and certain statement of the defamation. The petition as amended pleads not only defamation, but also five other separate causes of action denominated: [Count I] Ministerial Malpractice, [Count II] Alienation of Affections, [Count III] Defamation of Character, [Count IV] Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, [Count V] Invasion of Privacy, and [Count VI] Interference with Contract. The defendant Barnett moved to dismiss the petition as amended, and the court sustained the motion as to each of the several counts "for failure to state causes of action upon which relief may be granted." The plaintiffs appeal the judgment of dismissal.