Posted on 02/07/2009 3:20:55 PM PST by Dallas59
FORT WORTH — Hundreds of people who posted their opinions of a sexual assault trial in an online forum are now the targets of a lawsuit.
The authors of those comments on a Web site thought they were anonymous, but this week, a judge ruled their names should be revealed.
Mark and Rhonda Lesher lived quietly in northeast Texas; Mark practiced law, Rhonda ran a beauty salon.
Then, last year, a woman accused the couple — along with another man — of sexually assaulting her. That's when the anonymous comments started appearing on Topix.com.
An estimated 1,700 statements were too graphic to be included in this story, going far beyond the criminal charges.
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
Ruh roh...
No comment.
Rubbish. Comment on the web is like comment in a public square; it’s free speech.
Well, I’d say something but I am now to afraid. /sarc/
Yeah, but if you say "Smith's a child molester!" in a public square and it turns out he isn't, you're in trouble - and ought to be.
Duke lacrosse, anyone?
Look up libel laws before you decide you are free to post anything about anyone.
Why not sue the so called rape victim? It was her lies that started this ordeal.
They had a right to a public trial, this means the public has a right to form opinions based upon the trial.
NOT GUILTY!
Well the government will not stop you from committing slander or libel, but that doesn't mean you can't get sued for it.
“NOT GUILTY!”
How can you jump to that conclusion without pictures? If you have them, please post them.
If that was the case lawyers would have a field day at Digg.
And that's why trial should be kept off of television, especially all of the BS and speculation before a case even gets to trial.
And as an aside, trying someone in the court of opinion in the media is not a public trial.
http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/localnews/2008/06/18/lesher-backers-fill-red-river-court-39.php
Libel suits are very difficult to win. Even if a jury finds in your favor, higher courts overturn a large percentage of them. The major issue here is that most people reading the posts understand the posters are voicing an opinion based on a published news story, and are not making accusations they know or should know are false.
Thanks, but it looks like guilty to me (but only in the sense that we have fun with pictures here).
Note: The opinions expressed above do not necessarily represent my opinion on whether the said couple has committed the act(s) of which they were accused on or about the dates that they were accused. The opinions represent a analysis of the picture that was kindly supplied to me by a fellow blogger. Since a court of law has found said couple not guilty, they are therefore innocent of charges and I respect that verdict.
(just in case they know FReepers)
This might give OJ an idea.
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