Rules

Jury Rules in Favor of Navy Veteran, Orders CNN to Pay $5 Million in Defamation Case

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Panama City, Florida – A Florida jury delivered a notable verdict on Friday, ruling that a U.S. Navy veteran was defamed by a major news channel in a 2021 broadcast. The dispute stemmed from a report concerning individuals involved in evacuating endangered Afghans after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan. The defamation case, which culminated in a $5 million award for plaintiff Zachary Young, underscores the challenges media companies face in defending their reporting practices against libel claims. Under U.S. law, proving defamation involves demonstrating that false information was published maliciously or with reckless disregard … Read more

Court Rules CNN Defamed Security Contractor in Coverage of Afghanistan Events

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In a landmark decision, a U.S. court has ruled that CNN was liable for defaming a private security contractor in a report concerning operations in Afghanistan. This ruling underscores the intense scrutiny and legal challenges news organizations can face in their coverage of conflict zones. The security contractor, who was depicted in a negative light in CNN’s coverage, argued that the network had falsely accused him and his company of engaging in corrupt and negligent practices during their tenure in Afghanistan. The case highlights the delicate balance between freedom of the press and the protection … Read more

Judge Rules Out State Prosecutor in Concord Casino Fraud Case Over Violation of Legal Privileges

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Concord, N.H. – A Merrimack County Superior Court judge recently made a pivotal decision by barring a state prosecutor and a financial expert from continuing on a high-profile fraud case against Andy Sanborn, owner of Concord Casino. The ruling followed allegations of mishandling sensitive legal communications during the investigation. Judge John Kissinger highlighted that the Attorney General’s office exhibited “gross negligence” by not adequately safeguarding private legal communications between Sanborn and his attorneys. This failure compromised protections typically afforded under the attorney-client privilege, essential in ensuring fairness in legal proceedings. At the heart of the … Read more

Jury Awards $3.25 Million to Family of Cordale Handy, Rules St. Paul Officer Used Excessive Force in 2017 Shooting

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St. Paul, MN — A federal jury in St. Paul has awarded $3.25 million to the family of Cordale Handy, who was fatally shot by local police in 2017. The decision, reached after a summer 2023 trial, concluded that one of the two officers involved used excessive force in the incident that ended Handy’s life at the age of 29. The lawsuit, initiated by Handy’s mother, Kimberly Handy-Jones, contested the actions of the officers and sought justice for her son’s death. After the initial trial, the city faced a punitive damages charge of $1.5 million … Read more