Judge throws out George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC

Orlando Sentinel ^ | 06/30/2014 | By Rene Stutzman

[SeekAndFind]

A Sanford judge today put an end to George Zimmerman's libel suit against NBC Universal.

Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson ruled that the former Neighborhood Watch volunteer is entitled to no money from the media giant.

She issued a summary judgment in the network's favor, meaning that unless an appeals court reverses her, the case is now dead.

[driftdiver]

Figures

[Zenjitsuman]

Isn’t that Nelson a judge who was part of railroading George in the first place?

George should appeal.

[Revel]

You can’t find a more corrupt judge than this. Throw her from the bench.

[Durus]

The ruling is factually and legally incorrect and should be overturned.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Isn’t that Nelson a judge who was part of railroading George in the first place?

You’re right. she was the presiding judge in the State of Florida v. George Zimmerman.

Her reputation, among some, as a tough-on-defendants judge, has been analyzed in light of her handling of the case where George Zimmerman fatally shot the 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

[nathanbedford]

Zimmerman loses the case for libel because in cannot prove actual malice.

Zimmerman must prove actual malice because he is a public figure.

Zimmerman is a public figure because the people who libeled him made him one.

[Shelayne]

Why is Nelson the judge in this case???

[coloradan]

If cutting out the operator asking for a description of the perp, and resequencing the remaining clips such that it appeared Zimmerman just volunteered that he was black isn’t “actual malice” then I don’t know what is.

[SeekAndFind]

Zimmerman loses the case for libel because in cannot prove actual malice.
Zimmerman must prove actual malice because he is a public figure.

Zimmerman is a public figure because the people who libeled him made him one.

_____________________

This judge’s reasoning sounds quite circular to me.

How did she get elected judge in the first place?

[nathanbedford]

"There exists absolutely no clear and convincing evidence that defendants knew that the information published was false at the time it was published, or recklessly disregarded the truth or falsity of those statements. …,"

They doctored their own tapes, presumably they knew that and presumably they knew that they created the very falsehood complained of.

[Political Junkie Too]

Also covering up the bloody wounds on his head from police video with station logo chyron graphics that are moved from their usual corner spot shows intent to mislead.

-PJ

[ErnBatavia]

Why is Nelson the judge in this case???

Maybe 'cause she's such a hottie....

[Political Junkie Too]

The judge is protecting her own legacy by rejecting this suit.

She knows that when the facts show that NBC inflamed a mob lynching, then the whole farce of the Zimmerman trial is laid bare.

-PJ

[Fred Hayek]

Well that’s a weasel way to get out of a libel suit. Just declare the plaintiff to be a public figure. That’s the ticket!

[The Cajun]

Zimmerman needs to appeal, maybe a honest judge can be found yet.

[longtermmemmory]

IOW abuse of discretion because she was demonstrated as unworthy.

[DisorderOnBorder]

The fact that Nelson, who handled the criminal case, did not recuse herself from handling the civil case...is gross judicial misconduct

This ruling will be easily overturned on appeal...Nelson gets overturned on appeal more than I eat breakfast

I wonder why his lawyers did not take case to Federal Court...since NBC owned affiliate was involved

[Ultima]

What a shock.

[Logical me]

The communists NBC has such control of the communists judges what in hell did we expect. America is currently controlled by the communists liberals and this is an example.