Posted on 08/06/2008 4:58:12 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule
HOUSTON (AP) - A jury was seated Wednesday in a lawsuit alleging the wife of nationally known pastor Joel Osteen assaulted a flight attendant.
Opening arguments were set for Thursday in a case Victoria Osteen's lawyer called "silly." But Reginald McKamie, attorney for Continental Airlines flight attendant Sharon Brown, said he hopes the trial will show "that celebrity status doesn't take precedence."
Brown accuses Victoria Osteen of assaulting her before the start of a 2005 flight from Houston to Vail, Colo. Brown alleges Victoria Osteen threw her against a bathroom door and elbowed her in the left breast during an angry outburst over a stain on her first-class seat. The Federal Aviation Administration fined Victoria Osteen $3,000 for interfering with a crew member.
Joel Osteen was at his wife's side Wednesday in court. McKamie said he expected to call the couple as witnesses.
Joel Osteen preaches at Lakewood Church, a Houston megachurch where about 42,000 people flock each week and where Victoria Osteen is co-pastor. His weekly television address is broadcast nationally and internationally.
Some potential jurors during questioning admitted to being star-struck by the Osteens and that their respect for them might affect their judgment.
"He has gotten me through a lot of tough times. I would believe what he has to say. I have a lot of respect for him," one female in the jury pool said.
Other potential jurors said they didn't like preachers or televangelists and that ministers can lie.
Brown wants an apology and punitive damages amounting to 10 percent of Victoria Osteen's net worth as part of her suit.
Victoria Osteen's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said before jury selection began Wednesday that Brown's claims are false and that what happened was a "minor incident." Hardin also asked a judge to throw out an FAA report detailing the alleged incident, saying the agency's investigation was "incredibly incomplete."
"This is a very silly case," Hardin told reporters.
McKamie said the FAA did an appropriate investigation. State District Judge Patricia Hancock said she would make a decision later on whether the report would be allowed.
Brown's suit claims the flight attendants asked to have Victoria Osteen removed from the plane. Hardin says Victoria Osteen and her family left voluntarily. The incident delayed the flight about 2 1/2 hours.
According to court documents, Brown claims that she suffers from anxiety and hemorrhoids because of the incident and said her faith was affected. She is also suing Osteen for medical expenses for counseling.
Brown had previously claimed she was attacked in another incident by an airport employee, according to a deposition she gave in the case.
I geuss the free book book was not enough to persuade her against the lawsuit.
I am NO fan of the Osteen’s but I would have to say that this flight attentent (OK I’ll say it STEWARDESS) strikes me as a bit of a gold-digger.
A bit?? I’d say that’s exactly what she is. I’m not a fan of the Osteen’s either, but no one deserves to be sued over silly sh!t like this. Then again when you have money you attract fruitcakes like this woman looking for an easy dollar. No one “loses” their faith because of something like this. This is the first I’ve heard that being jabbed in the chest causes hemorrhoids! lol I hope she loses and has to pay all court costs!!
And hemorrhoids?
I don’t think I could hold the laughter in if someone was claiming they needed hundreds of thousands for hemorrhoids and I was on that jury.
ping
Based only on news reports, I would award minimal damages. I would not be surprised if there was an offer of judgment for some minor amount. If so and the jury awards less, there are some states that would then require the plaintiff to pay the defendants attorney fees and costs.
Not sure what the law is in Texas.
McKamie said the FAA did an appropriate investigation. State District Judge Patricia Hancock said she would make a decision later on whether the report would be allowed.
If she did not contest the fine, it may very well mean the report is inadmissible.
Sounds a bit to me that Ms. Brown is looking for an early retirement with BIG benefits. Story smells a little.
The Osteens are freaks. Like the vile Rick Warren, they almost never utter the word “Christ”.
Agreed. Everytime I see Joel on TV, I have to resist the urge to call Disney up and see if one of their animatrons are missing. The guy just flat out freaks me out.
Rusty Hardin? Doesn’t he have enough to do defending that knucklehead Clemens?
“Brown wants an apology and punitive damages amounting to 10 percent of Victoria Osteen’s net worth as part of her suit.”
Wow! 10 percent of Osteen’s net worth is a lot of money! Back in normal times, a handshake and sincere apology would be sufficient.
So how does 10% net worth of a preacher amount too. Can’t be much after all he is doing the lords work. sarc
Ok so what’s the problem with Osteen. I have found him to be nothing but uplifting.
I’ve seen on freerepublic a million times that God doesn’t say money is evil. He doesn’t command us to all be poor and starving. The Bible does make us aware that we cannot serve both God and money. Do you have any evidence to suggest that he is serving money and not God? If he cautions that you cannot serve both does that mean you can’t be rich and serve God?
Mind you I don’t know what Osteen serves.. I won’t pretend to know him. But before spouting off about how preachers with money are bad you should at least have something to back it up.
Money-grubbing lawyers at work. There was a lawyer on TV this afternoon practically salivating about how much money the Osteens had, and how much this stupid lawsuit could be worth. The fact that you don’t like them (and I have no use for TV preachers)doesn’t mean they should be subjected to trash lawsuits like this.
Living high on the hog while people in his own church are struggling doesn’t like the lords work to me. In my belief, all donations are for the lords work not to enrich the pastor. I can find where Jesus walked down the street with a pocket full of money.
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