A man was discussing a mutual acquaintance with a coworker. The man said to the coworker, regarding the acquaintance, “His children don’t look very much like him.” The coworker responded, “But they’re the spitting image of his next-door neighbor.” The acquaintance’s wife then sued both the man and the coworker for defamation. The acquaintance’s wife proved at trial that her husband was the biological father of her children.

Between the man and the coworker, which party, if either, is liable for defaming the acquaintance’s wife?

a. Both the man and the coworker.

b. Neither the man nor the coworker.

c. Only the man.

d. Only the coworker.