Read the following excerpt from a US court opinion:
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the jury e’s refusal to charge in this instance. IV. Public Official Kennedy next alleges the trial judge erred by not finding Goodwin was a public official and, accordingly, charging the jury on the plaintiffs burden of proving actual malice and the falsity of the alleged defamatory statement. The designation of a plaintiff as a public official is considerable in a defamation action. “In defamation actions involving a ‘public official’ or ‘public figure,’ the plaintiff must prove the statement was made with ‘actual malice,’ i.e., with either knowledge that it was false or reckless disregard for its truth.” Elder v. Gaffney Ledger, 341 S.C. 108, 113, 533 S.E.2d 899, 901 (2000). Kennedy argued Goodwin, as an assistant principal, was a public official. On that basis, Kennedy assert . We find these cases to be distinguishable.
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What is the most suitable continuation to the opinion? Your options are:
A. holding that the plaintiff bears the burden of showing that he has standing for each type of relief sought
B. holding a school principal seeking recovery for defamation has the burden of showing actual malice
C. recognizing that the burden of persuasion for a showing of prejudice was on the defendant
D. holding that the debtor has the burden of showing that collateral estoppel applies
E. holding in defamation context that first amendment protects speech regarding a public official unless made with actual malice
Reply with [A, B, C, D, E] only.