RiverRat
Patsy Ramsey to the Left
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2003
- Messages
- 2,909
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- 43
Denver, CO
Friday, January 07, 2005
Ramseys' suit against Fox News dismissed
Family claimed TV report implied involvement in JonBenet's murder
By Alicia Caldwell
Denver Post Staff Writer
A federal judge has dismissed the libel and defamation case filed by the family of JonBenet Ramsey against Fox News Network.
In an order dated Thursday, U.S. District Judge Phillip Figa wrote that the totality of a broadcast by the news outlet did not defame the parents or brother of the slain child beauty queen.
The Ramseys had claimed that a December 2002 segment by Fox News reporter Carol McKinley had implied they were involved in the murder of the 6-year-old JonBenet.
Dori Ann Hanswirth, Fox News' lawyer, was ecstatic today upon receiving word of the decision.
"We're thrilled," Hanswirth said. "It's a great day for the First Amendment."
Lin Wood, the Atlanta lawyer representing the Ramseys, could not immediately be reached for comment today afternoon.
In an elegantly written order that quoted Shakespeare, Figa wrote about the importance of upholding constitutionally protected rights of free speech.
"Plantiffs may well have filed this case more for vindication than for money, and perhaps vindication is what they deserve," Figa wrote.
"But they have a better chance for meaningful vindication in the court of public opinion through vigorous debate about the background and details of this heinous crime than by suing those whose reporting may arguable include some less than favorable references about them," the order said.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Ramseys' suit against Fox News dismissed
Family claimed TV report implied involvement in JonBenet's murder
By Alicia Caldwell
Denver Post Staff Writer
A federal judge has dismissed the libel and defamation case filed by the family of JonBenet Ramsey against Fox News Network.
In an order dated Thursday, U.S. District Judge Phillip Figa wrote that the totality of a broadcast by the news outlet did not defame the parents or brother of the slain child beauty queen.
The Ramseys had claimed that a December 2002 segment by Fox News reporter Carol McKinley had implied they were involved in the murder of the 6-year-old JonBenet.
Dori Ann Hanswirth, Fox News' lawyer, was ecstatic today upon receiving word of the decision.
"We're thrilled," Hanswirth said. "It's a great day for the First Amendment."
Lin Wood, the Atlanta lawyer representing the Ramseys, could not immediately be reached for comment today afternoon.
In an elegantly written order that quoted Shakespeare, Figa wrote about the importance of upholding constitutionally protected rights of free speech.
"Plantiffs may well have filed this case more for vindication than for money, and perhaps vindication is what they deserve," Figa wrote.
"But they have a better chance for meaningful vindication in the court of public opinion through vigorous debate about the background and details of this heinous crime than by suing those whose reporting may arguable include some less than favorable references about them," the order said.