Galella v Onassis
Galella v. Onassis Case Brief
Summary of Galella v. Onassis Citation: 487 F.2d 986 (2nd Cir. 1973)
Relevant Facts: Ronald Galella was a freelance photographer specializing in getting pictures of celebrities and other public figures. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, widow of former President John F. Kennedy, was one of Galella’s most frequent subjects for photographing. In the course of seeking opportunities to photograph Onassis and her two children, Mr. Galella had behaved on several occasions in a way that Mrs. Onassis objected to, including an instance where he jumped in front of her son’s moving bicycle, one in which he came perilously close to her in a boat while she was swimming, and several times appearing at her childrens’ school. As a result of the incident where Galella jumped in front of her son’s bicycle, Secret Service agents assigned to protect the Kennedy children had chased, subdued, and arrested Galella. Mr. Galella brought suit claiming he was wrongfully arrested and prosecuted, in addition to alleging that Mrs. Onassis and the Secret Service had interfered with his pursuit of trade. Mrs. Onassis counterclaiming for invasion of privacy, assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and harassment. Mr. Galella was acquitted of the charges for which he was arrested, but his civil suit against the arresting agents and Mrs. Onassis was dismissed as the agents were acting within the scope of their official duties and thus entitled to immunity. Galella, already subject to a restraining order for his conduct, was further restricted when the Court issued an order enjoining him coming with close proximity to Onassis or her children and limiting his future attempts to photograph the family. Galella appealed.
Issues: Was the dismissal of Galella’s claims proper? Does the injunction violate Galella’s First Amendment rights as a newsman?
Holding: Yes, dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims below was proper and he failed to raise a claim of
Summary of Galella v. Onassis Citation: 487 F.2d 986 (2nd Cir. 1973)
Relevant Facts: Ronald Galella was a freelance photographer specializing in getting pictures of celebrities and other public figures. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, widow of former President John F. Kennedy, was one of Galella’s most frequent subjects for photographing. In the course of seeking opportunities to photograph Onassis and her two children, Mr. Galella had behaved on several occasions in a way that Mrs. Onassis objected to, including an instance where he jumped in front of her son’s moving bicycle, one in which he came perilously close to her in a boat while she was swimming, and several times appearing at her childrens’ school. As a result of the incident where Galella jumped in front of her son’s bicycle, Secret Service agents assigned to protect the Kennedy children had chased, subdued, and arrested Galella. Mr. Galella brought suit claiming he was wrongfully arrested and prosecuted, in addition to alleging that Mrs. Onassis and the Secret Service had interfered with his pursuit of trade. Mrs. Onassis counterclaiming for invasion of privacy, assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and harassment. Mr. Galella was acquitted of the charges for which he was arrested, but his civil suit against the arresting agents and Mrs. Onassis was dismissed as the agents were acting within the scope of their official duties and thus entitled to immunity. Galella, already subject to a restraining order for his conduct, was further restricted when the Court issued an order enjoining him coming with close proximity to Onassis or her children and limiting his future attempts to photograph the family. Galella appealed.
Issues: Was the dismissal of Galella’s claims proper? Does the injunction violate Galella’s First Amendment rights as a newsman?
Holding: Yes, dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims below was proper and he failed to raise a claim of