Ventura wins $1.8 million in defamation suit

Star Tribune ^ | July 29, 2014

[Solson]

Former Gov. Jesse Ventura won his defamation case against the author of

[Solson]

What a travesty.

[Night Hides Not]

Ventura said Kyle fabricated the incident, and his reputation was ruined by Kyle’s account.

Jesse's reputation was ruined a long time ago. Kyle's attorneys dropped the ball.

[dalebert]

What a shame.

[Solson]

I don’t understand why the attorney would have consented to an 8-2 rather than unanimous. It undercuts the whole purpose of the trial.

[Ingtar]

Why would they agree to a split verdict?

[molson209]

What reputation was that ,the WWF one, LOL , Fake meet Fake

[Above My Pay Grade]

A case of defamation of the “character” of Jesse Ventura is exactly the sort of case Small Claims Court was invented for, IMHO.

What a disgrace that those jurors took his side over the widow of an American hero.

[apillar]

Hopefully the wife pulls and OJ on him and runs to a state with very lenient Bankruptcy laws such as Florida and declares bankruptcy, leaving Ventura holding the bag for his legal bills and collecting nothing from the suit.

[Future Snake Eater]

Ventura said Kyle fabricated the incident, and his reputation was ruined by Kyle’s account.

I've heard Kyle tell this story. It sounded like it was in a crowded bar with a whole bunch of other SEALs. Were there no witnesses to corroborate either version of events?

[Kartographer]

It is simply imposable to defame someone like Ventura!

[M Kehoe]

Imho, justice and the law are two totally different concepts.

5.56mm

[DJ MacWoW]

If You Want To Keep FR
Support It

[rockrr]

This is a complete BS decision. I hope the bass-turd never sees a dime of it. It does give me solace that the dufus will never again speak to a SEAL without getting a hearty “F-off” for his trouble!

[Solson]

according to the news, witnesses did testify but all had different versions including locations and what was said or not said.

[Williams]

What a disgrace. From what I read the incident certainly happened.

[jazusamo]

What a travesty.

Amen to that! Kyle's attorney should be disbarred.

[JoeVet]

Venture makes scumbags look good .......

What a putz!

[a fool in paradise]

Wouldn’t Jessie Ventura need to have credibility in the first place in order to be defamed?

[Lurking Libertarian]

I don’t understand why the attorney would have consented to an 8-2 rather than unanimous. It undercuts the whole purpose of the trial.

They knew the jury was split, but didn't know which way it was split. The defense attorney was probably convinced that the jury was leaning against Ventura, and thought that taking a split verdict was a better bet than the expense of a re-trial.

[C19fan]

Jesse Ventura easily fits the definition of a public figure. In the US it is almost impossible for a public figure to a win a defamation suit since one has to prove both falseness and the defendant knowingly lied. Looks like the defendants had horrible lawyers.