Panama City, Florida – The legal teams representing CNN and US Navy Veterans A lawsuit against the network for defamation concluded jury selection Monday in Bay County, Florida.
Six women and two men were selected. There will be six jurors and two alternates when opening arguments begin Tuesday in the high-stakes trial. US Navy veteran Zachary Young claims CNN defamed him by insinuating he illegally profited by helping people flee Afghanistan on the “black market” during the war. Biden administration Military withdrawal from the country in 2021.
Young believes CNN “ruined his reputation and business” by calling him an “illegal profiteer” who took advantage of “desperate Afghans” during a segment that first aired on November 11, 2021 on CNN's “The Lead with Jake Tapper.” Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court Judge William S. Henry, who is presiding over the trial, argued that Young “did not act unlawfully or criminally.” Despite what the network reported on the air. Judge Henry also noted that CNN's eventual on-air apology was not enough.
CNN heads to court in high-stakes libel trial over slice of Afghanistan
US Navy veteran Zachary Young believes CNN “ruined his reputation and business” by calling him an illegal scalper who took advantage of “desperate Afghans” during a segment that first aired November 11, 2021 on The Lead with Jake Tapper On CNN.
The potential jurors were full of their thoughts about Mediaveterans, punitive damages, and whether they own stock in CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, what they do for a living, and a variety of other issues. The lengthy process began with the first potential juror declaring: “I don't like the media, especially CNN,” when asked if he could be fair. Another immediately said: “I'm not a fan of CNN” when asked the same question.
One potential juror said CNN was too “liberal” for its tastes, one suggested that media organizations think they can say anything about anyone and “pretend to be the victim” when called upon, and another said they could be neutral, but added “There is nothing negative against CNN… I don’t see things the way they see them.”
CNN faces defamation suit over Afghanistan withdrawal story: 'Evidence of actual malice'
Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court Judge William S. Henry. (Tyler Orsbourne/Janet)
CNN attorney Clifford Sanbord questions potential jurors.
One potential juror sparked laughter in the courtroom when he bluntly explained why he couldn't be a good juror.
“Sitting here is killing me,” he said. “I’m hyperactive, I smoke and I have to urinate.”
At one point, potential jurors were asked whether they would feel comfortable awarding someone more than $100 million in punitive damages. No one objected to this, as long as “the evidence supports it.”
At least six potential jurors raised their hands when Young's attorney, Phil Friedman, asked them if they thought CNN was creating “fake news.” This question came after a potential juror specifically called CNN “fake news.”
None of the potential jurors who disparaged CNN were selected to serve on the jury. The “hyperactive” man was not chosen.
CNN is turning over internal documents as part of a high-stakes defamation lawsuit
US Navy veteran Zachary Young believes CNN “destroyed his reputation and business by describing him as an illegal profiteer who took advantage of desperate Afghans” during a November 11, 2021 segment on CNN's “The Lead with Jake Tapper.” (CNN/screenshot)
While CNN's viewership problems have been well-documented and the network has reached its lowest ratings levels in recent memory, people inside the courtroom seemed surprised when only one of the more than 40 potential jurors said they watched CNN regularly. Only two of the candidates know who CNN anchor Jake Tapper is, and neither has admitted to being a regular viewer of his show.
CNN senior vice president of news and executive managing editor Adam Levine was on hand to represent the network. No other CNN employees were seen.
The trial resumes Tuesday morning and Young is expected to take the stand early in the process. The trial will be It was broadcast live.
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