Jury

Florida Jury Condemns CNN for Defamation, Awards Navy Vet $5 Million in Damages Over Mischaracterized Afghanistan Rescue Efforts

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Panama City, Florida – A Florida jury awarded $5 million in damages to a U.S. Navy veteran on Friday, concluding that CNN had defamed him in a 2021 report focused on individuals involved in efforts to evacuate endangered Afghans after the Taliban’s ascension to power in Afghanistan. The case, which centered on the depiction of the veteran, Zachary Young, involved allegations that CNN’s coverage unfairly branded him as part of a “black market” operation charging high fees to extract Afghans from the country. Young asserted that his business was oriented toward finding sponsors to help … Read more

Jury Awards $21,578 to Plaintiff in Admitted Fault Car Accident Case in Clay County

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In Clay County, a local jury recently ruled in a motor vehicle collision case, where the defendant admitted to being at fault but contested the plaintiff’s claimed damages. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury’s award leaned closer to what the defendant proposed, rather than the amount sought by the plaintiff. The incident, which resulted in the plaintiff suffering back and spine injuries, prompted a legal debate centered solely on the extent of the damages owed. The defense, represented by Charles H. Cooper of Franke Schultz & Mullen, confirmed the defendant’s acknowledgment of responsibility … Read more

Honolulu Jury Awards Over $2 Million to Family of Homeless Man Killed by Deputy Sheriff at State Capitol

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Honolulu, Hawaii – A jury in Honolulu awarded over $2 million to the family of a homeless man fatally shot by a deputy sheriff at the state Capitol, a court determined on Friday. The verdict, which concluded deliberations that began on Wednesday, marks a significant moment in the legal ordeal stemming from the 2019 incident. Delmar Espejo, 28, lost his life during a physical altercation with former deputy sheriff Gregory Bergman, which allegedly occurred after Espejo was confronted for possessing alcohol on Capitol premises. The altercation led to Bergman shooting Espejo in the back, igniting … Read more

Jury Selection Begins in Trial of Ex-Prosecutor Linked to Ahmaud Arbery Case Amid Winter Weather Delays

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In Brunswick, Georgia, over 200 potential jurors convened at a local courthouse to determine their suitability for impartiality in the trial of former district attorney Jackie Johnson, who stands accused of misconduct during the investigation into Ahmaud Arbery’s death in 2020. Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was fatally shot after being pursued by three white men, an incident that garnered national attention. The trial of Johnson will take place in the same courthouse where Arbery’s killers were found guilty and convicted in 2021. This proximate seating raises questions about the complexities and sensitivities involved in … Read more