New York Times defamed ex-college player, must pay him millions, jury says
Summary
A jury in Alabama ordered The New York Times to pay $9.25 million after wrongly saying former University of Alabama basketball player Kai Spears was at a fatal shooting scene. The Times admitted the mistake and corrected the story, but the jury found the newspaper defamed Spears and caused him harm.Key Facts
- Kai Spears sued The New York Times in 2023 for wrongly reporting he was involved in a fatal shooting.
- The incorrect report cited an anonymous source about Spears being a passenger in the car at the shooting.
- The shooting happened in Tuscaloosa in January 2023 and resulted in the death of a 23-year-old woman.
- The Times later admitted the mistake and corrected the story with an editor’s note.
- An eight-person jury trial lasted nine days in the Northern District of Alabama federal court.
- The jury decided The New York Times defamed Spears and awarded him $9.25 million.
- Alabama law will reduce the final award by over $2 million due to legal limits on damages.
- The Times said it believes the verdict was wrong and is considering its legal options.
- Spears said the false report caused him emotional distress and publicly denied the claim.
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