Internet debate made the difference to the court!
excerpts:
In the eyes of the law, public figures are usually politicians or celebrities, who have limited rights to claim that they've been libeled or defamed, thanks to a 1964 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Among other things, Cole said plaintiff Eliza Thomas had become a public figure because there had been "substantial public debate" regarding her and her husband on the internet.
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In the wake of the Terri Schiavo debate, which also took place in Florida, Thomas' case is controversial enough.
But there's a twist: The state attorney general's office is investigating whether Thomas had something to do with her husband's injuries, raising the prospect of criminal charges. Thomas claims her husband was injured when he tripped over a dog in the kitchen.
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"It's sort of judicial recognition of the importance of internet news," Gabel said. "It shows the power of individuals on the internet."
Judges often will look at media coverage to see if someone fits the criteria to be a public figure. But in the Thomas case, there hadn't been any traditional media coverage; only internet denizens had been involved.
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Something we wish for....
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I still wonder if one of Michael Schiavo's girlfriends had a key to the apartment, and if she or some male friend of hers confronted Terri that night.
That could explain why Terri did not seem afraid of Michael in the early pictures of them together after the "event."
These crooked judges and lawyers won't be able to hide any longer.
Here are some links to update any not familiar with the situation.
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Apparently, Jacksonville doesn't have a State Attorney like Pinellas Cty's Bernie McCabe who was part of the plan to exit Terri out. Jax's state attorney is at least entertaining the idea that the spouse is up to no good. In Pinellas County, they were hands off Michael Schiavo - he must have had the goods on the lot of them. It had to be blackmail for them to help a piece of work like HINO.
bump to post #152
News on the Scott Thomas case!!
interesting -- thanks for finding and posting that.