Oklahoman

The Oklahoman Found Liable for $20 Million in Damages in Landmark Libel Case

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Muskogee, Oklahoma – The Oklahoman libel trial reached its conclusion today with the announcement of the jury’s verdict. The jury found Gannett Co., Inc. liable for $20 million in punitive damages to Scott Sapulpa. This follows the jury’s earlier decision on Friday, where Gannett was found liable for $5 million in actual damages. The total damages awarded to Sapulpa now amount to a staggering $25 million. The verdict may have significant implications for the newspaper chain, as its stock price has already experienced a slight dip. The trial centered around The Oklahoman’s misidentification of Sapulpa … Read more

$25 Million Libel Verdict Shocks Legal and Media Experts: Oklahoman Misidentifies Announcer in Racist Rant Case

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NORMAN, Oklahoma – A recent $25 million libel verdict against the Gannett-owned Oklahoman has left media and legal experts puzzled. The jury awarded damages to announcer Scott Sapulpa after the newspaper misidentified him as the person responsible for a racist rant during a state girls’ basketball tournament three years ago. The large sum of money awarded has raised questions about the jury’s decision. Norman attorney Stan Ward expressed concerns that the jury may have exceeded the legal boundaries with their significant damages award. Oklahoma does not impose a limit on jury awards for defamation cases, … Read more