Defamation Cases
| Case #1 |
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In 1996, WPYX in Albany, NY sponsored an "Ugliest Bride Contest." The two radio hosts would look through newspaper wedding announcements and select who they thought was the ugliest bride. Usually, the hosts mentioned only the first name of the bride. In this case the woman's full name and the place where she worked was aired. The bride, Annette Esposito-Hilder sued. The station sent her a written apology and cancelled future contests. Does Mrs. Esposito-Hilder have a case? |
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| Case #2 |
| Dennis Stokes, a 3M executive, was shot twice in the face
as he slept at his home in Columbus Township in October 1993. There was
no sign of forced entry or burglary. The gun hasn't been found, and there
was no physical evidence or witness linking Terri Stokes (his wife) to the
crime. She was staying with her brother at the time. In an April 1994 broadcast on WCCO-TV as part of a "Dimensions" Report for the evening news, Anoka County sheriff's detective Tom Johnson said Terri Stokes was the only suspect. The detective said on camera that he thought she killed her husband, and he later testified to that in court (during the defamation trial). Terri Stokes had declined to be interviewed for the report. Terri Stokes sued WCCO-TV and detective Johnson claiming they defamed her and therefore were responsible for damages. Does Terri Stokes have a case? Against who? |
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As judge, how would you rule in each case, and why?
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| Internet and libel case |