CNN defamation trial: Judge imposes fine for personal strikes after chaos erupts in court

Panama City, Florida – Fireworks were held at the Bay County Courthouse on Thursday during the third day of High risk certification From the plaintiff in a defamation suit against CNN, which resulted in a judge imposing a fine for going ahead with personal attacks.

The US Navy veteran claims CNN defamed his reputation by insinuating he illegally profited from 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 describing him as an illegal profiteer who took advantage of “desperate Afghans” during a November 11, 2021 segment that first aired on “The Lead with Jake Tapper” on CNN channel. ”

Young had previously said during testimony that he had not received money or found work in his industry following the CNN report. This became critical during cross-examination when CNN’s chief lawyer, David Axelrod, not the same person as the on-air critic of the same name, pulled out a document that was unfamiliar to the plaintiff or the court.

A Navy veteran warned a CNN reporter that he would “seek legal damages” if the “inaccurate” story was published.

Judge William Henry sent the jury out of the room to discuss the matter without them being present. The document was a contract linking Young to a company called Helios Global. It was signed by Young and dated December 8, 2021 – after the CNN report aired.

Young’s attorney, Phil Friedman, noted that Helios Global appeared during the discovery process and “CNN chose not to subpoena” any documents.

“We did not have this document, otherwise it would have been produced, and that does not mean that Mr. Young violated his discovery obligations,” Friedman said.

He then criticized CNN for using it as a “surprise document” with “dramatic effect.”

“We are not supposed to be prosecuted by ambush in this state,” Friedman said.

“This is completely inappropriate,” he continued. “CNN should not be allowed to use this document. They should have provided it to us first.”

Friedman then described CNN’s legal team as “desperate,” which prompted them to step down.

Judge Henry then rebuked both sides for “personal attacks” and insults.

“Plaintiff’s entire case is that after the CNN publication he was unable to get any work,” Axelrod responded.

Axelrod then said that Young “learned that he had entered into a new agreement with a government contractor one month after the CNN publication.”

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“This entire lawsuit was a scam in this court. It was a scam on CNN,” Axelrod said, adding that Young “lied” in his testimony.

“He concocted an unbelievable hoax,” Axelrod said. “This lawsuit has been a fraud from day one.”

The two sides bickered back and forth until Judge Henry declared both sides guilty of “throwing mud back and forth.”

“I will not judge on the basis of who can make the other the worst person in this case,” Judge Henry said.

Judge Henry then asked for a break because he wanted to go back to his room and think things over. This led to a long delay, with journalists and other attendees speculating whether the entire trial would be canceled as a result. Based on Axelrod’s reaction to the document, most people watching the trial assumed that the document showed that Young was paid as a consultant by Helios, which would have contradicted the sworn testimony.

Judge Henry eventually ruled that the trial should continue, and allowed the document to be used. Judge Henry noted that knowledge of the document was clearly present in Young’s “mind,” even if he did not have a physical copy to hand over during discovery. He also ruled that there was no harm in admitting this late.

Judge Henry said: “I don’t expect this to happen again. I think I said that last time.”

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The judge imposed a $100 fine for each time the attorney personally insulted the other party, and the money would go to Legal Services of North Florida.

After a startling pause in the trial, the trial resumed, and Axelrod briefly touched on the document that seemed so important. Axelrod noted that the title “Security Advisory Agreement” asked Young if he signed the document on December 8, 2021, and asked if that date was after the CNN segment.

“Yes,” Young replied.

Shortly thereafter, Axelrod concluded his questioning.

Friedman later asked Young to explain the plight of documents during forwarding.

“Once you leave government services, you personally cannot get a (security) clearance yourself. It has to be through a company that has an agreement with the US government. They are the ones who have to sponsor the clearance. It is issued by the US government,” Young said.

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“This is just a company, like any defense contractor, that has contracts with the U.S. government, and they hold an individual’s permit,” Young said. “Every year, you have to sign this administrative document with whoever holds your permit. In this case it’s Helios. It’s not an agreement to do the work… it’s just an administrative function.”

Young testified that he turned over seven years’ worth of bank records and that there were no payments from Helios to him.

“CNN knows this, there are no transfers from Helios Global,” Young said.

So, in the end, Young testified under oath that he did not take money from Helios after the CNN report aired, and therefore, he did not lie when he said he did not make any money in his industry in the aftermath of the incident. CNN Report – But North Florida Legal Services may get some donations if the hostile environment continues.

The trial will resume on Friday and can be broadcast live Fox News Digital.

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