The Region - News from Feb. 12, 1987

The state Supreme Court refused to overturn a state Court of Appeal ruling that allows former San Diego Police Officer Kenneth Kelly to bring to trial his $91-million defamation and invasion of privacy suit against author Joseph Wambaugh and publisher William Morrow & Co. over the book “Lines and Shadows.” Although Wambaugh and the publisher argued that the officer signed a “personal depiction” waiver in exchange for $5,000, Kelly contends that the book about the San Diego Police Department’s now-disbanded Border Alien and Robbery Force portrayed him as an irresponsible policeman and accused him of “acts of procuring prostitution.” He said it wrecked his career, marriage and reputation.