PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Legal teams representing CNN and the US Navy veteran A defamation lawsuit against the network concluded jury selection Monday in Bay County, Florida.
Six women and two men were selected. There will be six jurors and two alternates present when opening arguments start Tuesday in the high-stakes trial. US Navy veteran Zachary Young claims CNN smeared him by suggesting he profited illegally when he helped people flee Afghanistan on the “black market” during the war. Biden administration military withdrawal from the country in 2021.
Young believes CNN “destroyed his reputation and business” by labeling him an “illegal profiteer” who exploited “desperate Afghans” during a Nov. 11, 2021 segment that first aired on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper” . Judge William S. Henry of the 14th Judicial Circuit, who presided over the trial, ruled that Young “did not act illegally or criminally” despite what the network reported on air. Judge Henry has also suggested that CNN’s eventual on-air apology was inadequate.
CNN TO COURT FOR High-Stakes Defamation Trial Over AFGHANISTAN SEGMENT
US Navy veteran Zachary Young believes CNN ‘destroyed his reputation and business’ by labeling him as an illegal profiteer’ who exploited ‘desperate Afghans’ during a November 11, 2021 segment first aired on CNN’s ‘The Lead with Jake Tapper’.
Potential jurors were peppered with their thoughts on the matter the mediaveterans, compensation, whether they own stock in CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, what they do for a living and an assortment of other things. The lengthy trial began when the first prospective juror declared, “I don’t like the media, especially CNN,” when asked if he could be fair. Another promptly said, “not a fan of CNN,” when asked the same question.
One prospective juror said CNN is too “liberal” for her taste, another suggested that media organizations believe they can say anything about anyone and “pretend to be victims” when called upon, and another said he could be impartial but added: “Nothing negative about CNN…I just don’t see things the way they do.”
CNN faces defamation lawsuit over Afghanistan withdrawal story: ‘Proof of actual malice’
Judge William S. Henry of the 14th Judicial Circuit. (Tyler Orsburn/Gannet)
CNN attorney Clifford Sanbord questions potential jurors.
One potential juror drew laughter from the courtroom when he bluntly explained why he wouldn’t be a good juror.
“It hurts me to sit here… I’m hyperactive, I smoke and I have to pee,” he said.
At one point, potential jurors were asked if they would feel comfortable awarding someone more than $100 million in damages. No one objected to that as long as ‘evidence supports it’.
At least six potential jurors raised their hands when Young’s attorney Vel Freedman asked them if they believed CNN creates “fake news.” This question came after a potential juror specifically called CNN with the nickname “fake news.”
None of the potential jurors who defamed CNN were selected for the jury. The ‘hyperactive’ man was also not selected.
CNN TURNES OVER INTERNAL DOCUMENTS AS PART OF High-Stakes Defamation Case
U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young believes CNN “destroyed his reputation and business by labeling him as an illegal profiteer who exploited desperate Afghans” during a November 11, 2021 segment on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper.” (CNN/screenshot)
Although CNN’s ratings are well documented and the network has hit ratings lows in recent history, those in the courtroom seemed somewhat surprised when only one of more than forty potential jurors said they watched CNN regularly. Only two of the candidates knew who CNN anchor Jake Tapper is, and neither admitted to being a regular viewer of his show.
Adam Levine, CNN’s senior vice president of news and executive editor, was on hand to represent the network. No other CNN employees were seen.
The trial will resume Tuesday morning and Young is expected to take the stand early in the trial. The trial will take place streamed live.
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