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Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC[W:17]

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Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC


A Sanford judge today put an end to George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC Universal.

Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson ruled that the former Neighborhood Watch volunteer is entitled to no money from the media giant.

She issued a summary judgment in the network's favor, meaning that unless an appeals court reverses her, the case is now dead.

[...]

"Zimmerman and his family had received death threats and had gone into hiding long before any of the challenged broadcasts," she wrote.

Zimmerman had made himself more difficult to defame, the judge wrote, because he had voluntarily made himself a public figure long before the shooting. In 2010, when the Sanford Police Department refused for weeks to arrest the son of a white police officer who had punched and broken the nose of a homeless black man, Zimmerman publicly protested.

That was an example, Nelson wrote, of Zimmerman "voluntarily injecting his views into the public controversy surrounding race relations and public safety in Sanford."

[...]
George Zimmerman loses libel suit against NBC - Orlando Sentinel


Judge Nelson has proved she should not be on the bench over and over again.


If you would like a better legal analysis than that, please feel free read what is located at the following.

George Zimmerman | Judge Debra Nelson | Libel Suit Dismissed
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC


A Sanford judge today put an end to George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC Universal.

Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson ruled that the former Neighborhood Watch volunteer is entitled to no money from the media giant.

She issued a summary judgment in the network's favor, meaning that unless an appeals court reverses her, the case is now dead.

[...]

"Zimmerman and his family had received death threats and had gone into hiding long before any of the challenged broadcasts," she wrote.

Zimmerman had made himself more difficult to defame, the judge wrote, because he had voluntarily made himself a public figure long before the shooting. In 2010, when the Sanford Police Department refused for weeks to arrest the son of a white police officer who had punched and broken the nose of a homeless black man, Zimmerman publicly protested.

That was an example, Nelson wrote, of Zimmerman "voluntarily injecting his views into the public controversy surrounding race relations and public safety in Sanford."

[...]
George Zimmerman loses libel suit against NBC - Orlando Sentinel


Judge Nelson has proved she should not be on the bench over and over again.

I hope it's appealed. Really??? When he protested he made himself a public figure so people can defame him with impunity? Really?? Gads.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

This is no grand fella, but he absolutely has a case here. He was railroaded for months by the entire MSM over what should have been an open-and-shut case.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

I hope it's appealed. Really??? When he protested he made himself a public figure so people can defame him with impunity? Really?? Gads.

I'm not a big fan of Zimmerman, but yeah, this--------------------------^
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC


A Sanford judge today put an end to George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC Universal.

Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson ruled that the former Neighborhood Watch volunteer is entitled to no money from the media giant.

She issued a summary judgment in the network's favor, meaning that unless an appeals court reverses her, the case is now dead.

[...]

"Zimmerman and his family had received death threats and had gone into hiding long before any of the challenged broadcasts," she wrote.

Zimmerman had made himself more difficult to defame, the judge wrote, because he had voluntarily made himself a public figure long before the shooting. In 2010, when the Sanford Police Department refused for weeks to arrest the son of a white police officer who had punched and broken the nose of a homeless black man, Zimmerman publicly protested.

That was an example, Nelson wrote, of Zimmerman "voluntarily injecting his views into the public controversy surrounding race relations and public safety in Sanford."

[...]
George Zimmerman loses libel suit against NBC - Orlando Sentinel


Judge Nelson has proved she should not be on the bench over and over again.


If you would like a better legal analysis than that, please feel free read what is located at the following.

George Zimmerman | Judge Debra Nelson | Libel Suit Dismissed

I like Branca's take on this. He was one of the very few voices during this whole fiasco that maintained his professional bearing and didn't fall into the emotional black hole that surrounded the case. I can't imagine that this ridiculous decision won't be overturned on appeal.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Can we just let it die? I don't care about him anymore, he was acquitted, which is probably the best verdict that could be reached. But could we just let it go rather than calling out everyone who has the "wrong" take on it?

The fact that he had a gun doesn't make him automatically right or wrong. I know we want to see the eeeeeevil libruls crucified....but just let it go.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Can we just let it die? I don't care about him anymore, he was acquitted, which is probably the best verdict that could be reached. But could we just let it go rather than calling out everyone who has the "wrong" take on it?

The fact that he had a gun doesn't make him automatically right or wrong. I know we want to see the eeeeeevil libruls crucified....but just let it go.

Um, no, unless you think major news networks have no responsibility?
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Um, no, unless you think major news networks have no responsibility?

At what point does it stop? If certain commentators call Sandra Fluke a whore, are they responsible? Or is that different?
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

It seems it is more like your angst that needs to be let go of.

I have no angst about it. I'm not the one who started the thread.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

I'm not the one who started the thread.
Starting a thread about a current news story has nothing to do with it.
It was your voice opinion that showed angst.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Starting a thread about a current news story has nothing to do with it.
It was your voice opinion that showed angst.

Your definition of angst is different from mine. You're the one that felt the need to start a thread and say the judge shouldn't be on the bench. I just want it to be done and over.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

At what point does it stop? If certain commentators call Sandra Fluke a whore, are they responsible? Or is that different?

Calling someone a name is protected by the Constitution. I didn't think the Constitution granted anyone the right to put someone's life in jeopardy.

Are you comparing what MSNBC did to Zimmerman to Limbaugh calling someone a name?
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Am I the only one who's noticed that many of the people wailing about this judges decision are the same people who point to a judge's decision to argue that Zimmerman was not guilty of committing any crime?
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC


A Sanford judge today put an end to George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC Universal.

Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson ruled that the former Neighborhood Watch volunteer is entitled to no money from the media giant.

She issued a summary judgment in the network's favor, meaning that unless an appeals court reverses her, the case is now dead.

[...]

"Zimmerman and his family had received death threats and had gone into hiding long before any of the challenged broadcasts," she wrote.

Zimmerman had made himself more difficult to defame, the judge wrote, because he had voluntarily made himself a public figure long before the shooting. In 2010, when the Sanford Police Department refused for weeks to arrest the son of a white police officer who had punched and broken the nose of a homeless black man, Zimmerman publicly protested.

That was an example, Nelson wrote, of Zimmerman "voluntarily injecting his views into the public controversy surrounding race relations and public safety in Sanford."

[...]
George Zimmerman loses libel suit against NBC - Orlando Sentinel


Judge Nelson has proved she should not be on the bench over and over again.


If you would like a better legal analysis than that, please feel free read what is located at the following.

George Zimmerman | Judge Debra Nelson | Libel Suit Dismissed



I hope the Zimmermam appeals this and wins.What NBC did was deliberate and vicious.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC


A Sanford judge today put an end to George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC Universal.

Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson ruled that the former Neighborhood Watch volunteer is entitled to no money from the media giant.

She issued a summary judgment in the network's favor, meaning that unless an appeals court reverses her, the case is now dead.

[...]

"Zimmerman and his family had received death threats and had gone into hiding long before any of the challenged broadcasts," she wrote.

Zimmerman had made himself more difficult to defame, the judge wrote, because he had voluntarily made himself a public figure long before the shooting. In 2010, when the Sanford Police Department refused for weeks to arrest the son of a white police officer who had punched and broken the nose of a homeless black man, Zimmerman publicly protested.

That was an example, Nelson wrote, of Zimmerman "voluntarily injecting his views into the public controversy surrounding race relations and public safety in Sanford."

[...]
George Zimmerman loses libel suit against NBC - Orlando Sentinel


Judge Nelson has proved she should not be on the bench over and over again.


If you would like a better legal analysis than that, please feel free read what is located at the following.

George Zimmerman | Judge Debra Nelson | Libel Suit Dismissed

Part of me wants to say, 'Oh NO, not ANOTHER Zimmerman thread.'

But then, I think there is some discussion to be done here. I have to disagree that Zimmerman 'made himself' a public figure. It was Holder that brought him into the limelight, and like most naïve innocent people who have been accused, he chose to cooperate with authorities and also to try to make amends with the Martin family. Of course this was all public. But, IMO, I don't agree that it made him a 'public figure' for the purpose of denying him the right not to be defamed by the media.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Moderator's Warning:
Before this thread gets derailed I just want to let people know that this thread is NOT about the Zimmerman/Trayvon case. This thread is about Zimmermans libel suit. If it goes into the other case you will be infracted and booted from the thread.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Your definition of angst is different from mine. You're the one that felt the need to start a thread and say the judge shouldn't be on the bench. I just want it to be done and over.
Not at all. I felt the news of her decision should be shared.

And in accordance with the rules, I also expressed an opinion in regards to the topic, which was to her repeatedly flawed rulings being a reason why she shouldn't be on the bench.

You on the other hand appeared to be full of angst in your voiced opinion simply because the news was shared which also fits the alternative definition of angst as it was over a trivial matter.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Part of me wants to say, 'Oh NO, not ANOTHER Zimmerman thread.'

But then, I think there is some discussion to be done here. I have to disagree that Zimmerman 'made himself' a public figure. It was Holder that brought him into the limelight, and like most naïve innocent people who have been accused, he chose to cooperate with authorities and also to try to make amends with the Martin family. Of course this was all public. But, IMO, I don't agree that it made him a 'public figure' for the purpose of denying him the right not to be defamed by the media.
As I see it; I think it odd that the media can turn him into a public figure and then claim immunity because of it.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Am I the only one who's noticed that many of the people wailing about this judges decision are the same people who point to a judge's decision to argue that Zimmerman was not guilty of committing any crime?

Z's a protected class now. Can't say anything about him without incurring the wrath of certain posters.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Calling someone a name is protected by the Constitution. I didn't think the Constitution granted anyone the right to put someone's life in jeopardy.

Are you comparing what MSNBC did to Zimmerman to Limbaugh calling someone a name?

Did anyone say "go kill him" or did they just imply that he was guilty of a crime? The first is wrong, the second is protected speech.

His claim was that they "intentionally inflicted emotional distress" by implying that he used a racial epithet. That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

As I see it; I think it odd that the media can turn him into a public figure and then claim immunity because of it.

The case on point here regarding the public figure thing is the lawsuit Jimmy Falwell brought against Larry Flynt and Hustler magazine. In that holding, Falwell had no recourse because he, himself, was found to have sought the limelight and made himself a public figure through his TV ministry. Others are public figures even without seeking the limelight. Lawyers come to mind because in the legal code of professional ethics the Bar states that as licensed attorneys they are public figures. So, the topic is not really cut and dried. I don't think Zimmerman sought the limelight for the purpose of becoming a public figure. I think he had other motives, and I agree that it was the media that brought all this to the fore, and now he, like Falwell, cannot hold them accountable. I haven't read the case, so I don't know if there could be any ground to overturn the ruling. There certainly could be.

Hustler Magazine v. Falwell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Calling someone a name is protected by the Constitution. I didn't think the Constitution granted anyone the right to put someone's life in jeopardy.

Are you comparing what MSNBC did to Zimmerman to Limbaugh calling someone a name?

Certainly altering a 9-11 recording to make it sound like a person said something they didn't say SHOULD be actionable. Just my not so humble opinion. Even if someone is a public figure they can win the suit if they can show malice. IMO, altering that recording is malice if anything every was.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

The case on point here regarding the public figure thing is the lawsuit Jimmy Falwell brought against Larry Flynt and Hustler magazine. In that holding, Falwell had no recourse because he, himself, was found to have sought the limelight and made himself a public figure through his TV ministry. Others are public figures even without seeking the limelight. Lawyers come to mind because in the legal code of professional ethics the Bar states that as licensed attorneys they are public figures. So, the topic is not really cut and dried. I don't think Zimmerman sought the limelight for the purpose of becoming a public figure. I think he had other motives, and I agree that it was the media that brought all this to the fore, and now he, like Falwell, cannot hold them accountable. I haven't read the case, so I don't know if there could be any ground to overturn the ruling. There certainly could be.

Hustler Magazine v. Falwell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You are not telling me anything I do not know.

The Judge's reasoning is still flawed.
 
Re: Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

You are not telling me anything I do not know.

The Judge's reasoning is still flawed.

I agree. I don't think Zimmerman sought the limelight the way a movie star or politician does. I think it was foisted upon him by the press because crimes are matters of public information.
 
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