In the case of Sterling suing Mary, under what condition could he potentially win his defamation claim?

For Sterling to potentially win his defamation claim against Mary, it is essential that the statement made by her is false and was communicated to others. Defamation involves making a false statement about someone that harms their reputation. Therefore, if people heard the accusation and it was indeed false, this directly meets the criteria for defamation. The fact that it was communicated to a third party (i.e., others heard it) is a critical element.

The truth of the accusation plays a significant role in defamation claims; if the accusation is true, Sterling would not have a valid claim regardless of the damage or the number of people who heard it. Being able to prove that the statement was false and heard by others solidifies the basis for a defamation lawsuit, making that condition crucial for success in the case against Mary.