In Re Ronald L. Ward, Debtor. Richard Hovdestad v. Ronald L. Ward

21 F.3d 1119 NOTICE: Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3 provides that dispositions other than opinions or orders designated for publication are not precedential and should not be cited except when relevant under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, or collateral estoppel. In re Ronald L. WARD, Debtor. Richard HOVDESTAD, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Ronald L. WARD, Defendant-Appellant. No. 92-16977. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Submitted March 17, 1994. * Decided April 14, 1994. 1 Before: REINHARDT, LEAVY, Circuit Judges, and McLAUGHLIN, District Judge. ** 2 MEMORANDUM *** I. INTRODUCTION 3 This case involves the question whether an Arizona state-court declaratory judgment is sufficient to establish that a $535,000 slander judgment is a debt for a "willful and malicious injury" within the meaning of Section 523(a)(6) of the United States Bankruptcy Code. 11 U.S.C. Sec. 523 (a)(6) ("Section 523(a)(6)"). If so, the debt is not dischargeable. Id. 1 The district court below held that the declaratory judgment was sufficient to establish a "willful and malicious injury" and thus the debt was not dischargeable. We affirm. II. STATE PROCEEDINGS 4 On January 8, 1986, Debtor…