CNN takes a hit

I’ve been following Zachary Young’s defamation lawsuit against CNN through the daily reporting of the Washington Free Beacon’s Jessica Costescu along with Jessica’s X feed here. Young had a strong case with a judge and jury that seemed to see through CNN’s modus operandi. Much of the evidence with which CNN had to contend was internal to CNN. Fast as its lawyer talked, he either couldn’t talk fast enough or he talked too fast.

Jonathan Turley saw the jury about to lower the boom in his post “‘Your Credibility with Me is about None’: CNN Trial Goes From Bad to Worse,” as did John in “CNN In Deep Trouble.” In the event, they were both right.

The jury deliberated into the evening yesterday after the judge’s instructions. Today the jury returned a verdict finding CNN liable and awarding $5 million in compensatory damages (including $1 million for emotional distress). I thought that Young’s testimony on the emotional distress he has suffered as a result of CNN’s broadcast segment and posted story was credible and powerful.

As I understand from Jessica’s X feed, the jury further found that punitive damages were appropriate after returning with its verdict on liability and compensatory damages. While the court proceeded to hear evidence bearing on the amount, CNN settled the case on a confidential basis.

The settlement amount must have been substantial. CNN had approximately nothing going for it at this point. It’s a shame the rest of us are deprived of the full schadenfreude effect, but that verdict must sting. Even the jury wanted in on the full schadenfreude effect.

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