George Zimmerman sues NBC for defamation

[unreadierLizard]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/george-zimmerman-sues-nbc-for-defamation/2012/12/06/ae15b972-3ffb-11e2-bca3-aadc9b7e29c5_blog.html

George Zimmerman sued NBC Thursday, alleging the network defamed him when it edited the recording of his 911 call to police about Trayvon Martin, in order to make him sound like a “racist and predatory villain” for the sake of ratings.

“NBC News saw the death of Trayvon Martin not as a tragedy but as an opportunity to increase ratings, and so set about to create the myth that George Zimmerman was a racist and predatory villain,” Zimmerman alleged in the complaint, filed Thursday in Seminole County, near Orlando.

[AsahinaKimi]

1. I suppose he will need all the money he can get....

So when the Martin family sues him, he will need some cash to pay them with!

[unreadierLizard]

2. Doesn't change the facts

that NBC did doctor the phone call.

He's got a solid case.

[hrmjustin]

6. He should get no money from it.

[Pelican]

14. Why?

Just because you don't like him or for an actual legal reason?

The tape was edited to elicit maximum outrage and draw ratings. What part of that is not legitimate?

[hrmjustin]

23. If he gives the money to the Martin family then he can get it.

Zimmerman is an evil racist and must be loudly proclaimed so.

The fact that he could make money off of murder is sickening.

[Pelican]

27. So no legal reason he shouldn't sue the crap out of NBC?

Just your personal dislike of him. Got it...

Technically he would be making money off of the nationwide defamation and potential poisoning of the jury pool and not the shooting of Martin.

[hrmjustin]

30. No I don't like Evil people and his money and freedom should be taken away from him.

[Pelican]

36. Well... It wasn't and it won't be...

... until or unless he does something else.

Now what?

They might still get his money though...

[hrmjustin]

39. We can always hope they get him on a federal charge.

[Pelican]

43. Good luck with that...

Historically the federal government has only taken on cases that they have a strong strong possibility to win.

The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) already conducted an investigation last year and found no racial motivations or civil rights "violations."

Snowball's chance in hell but feel free to keep hoping...

[hrmjustin]

54. Then I guess he has gotten away with evil!

[lumpy]

82. BS

n

[Mr. David]

55. Federal hate crime laws should apply

And Monday morning, an indictment will be done for GZ on hate crimes. That is the one with the needle.

[hrmjustin]

57. I hope they charge him.

[Pelican]

58. Seeing as how the FBI already conducted an investigation...

... and found no racial motivation how well do you think that is going to go?

[Mr. David]

62. They are going to re-investigate the entire thing from A-Z

and then have more than adequate evidence to charge Mr. Zimmerman for capital murder with enhancement of hate crimes.

Guilty verdict means death sentence.

Murder is murder, and the idiots of the jury needs to realize that.

[Pelican]

65. WTF are you talking about?

Under what legal circumstances do you see a death sentence in Zimmerman's future?

Seriously, inquiring minds want to know...

Edit: What evidence are they going to find the second time around, one year plus later, that they didn't the first that a defense attorney that isn't a drooling moron won't beat to a bloody pulp?

[backwoodsbob]

78. you can't retry him for murder

[lumpy]

84. I prefer to believe your posts moreso than DU's resident lawyer, Mr. Know it All

n

[lumpy]

83. More BS from someone who knows...everything

n

[Pelican]

87. and....?

Did you have something of value to say?

[backwoodsbob]

53. so law be damned...what you feel is what counts

you would make a good freeper

[DontTreadOnMe]

61. "law be damned" ??

are you referring to Snowden?

[Mr. David]

52. He deserves to be put down. Everywhere. Make him a red-headed stepchild

that no-one wants to deal with.

Fuck Zimmerman, and he ought to be in prison, rotting for the next 30 years. GZ got away with it because of prosecutorial misconduct.

[LaydeeBug]

74. He should get money because they doctored the tape and did not tell the whole story.

Had Fox News done the same thing, in fact WHEN they've done the same thing, it was just as wrong.

And, no, I am not a GZ apologist.

[lumpy]

88. If news outlets were sued for every journalistic editing they would soon be out of business.

Z has to prove his case. Hope he is soon stripped of the money he has already gleaned from his profitable killing exploit. Lawyers are having a monetary heyday from this creep.

[LaydeeBug]

89. But this *did* color (sic) the story, and TM's parents are going to need the cash when they clean

him out. Which will only be small consolation, but...

[YarnAddict]

8. Probably a good case against CNN

for broadcasting his SSN.

[arcane1]

12. They edited the phone call

"Doctoring" means they added to or otherwise altered the content.

[premium]

22. Editing is altering.

NBC has already admitted fault, apologized and terminated the employees responsible, he's got a good civil case here.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

40. they will settle...

and then Zimmerman writes a book and makes a couple million...

sP

[premium]

42. More than likely, that's what usually happens. nt.

[lumpy]

91. BS

n

[lumpy]

90. Thank you. Editing is another story. That doesn't mean NBC was predudicial in the reporting.

If Z should get anything out of his suit, I would be astounded. Only open up more similar lawsuits. Jesus Christ, Zimmerman has created his own nasty reputation all by himself.
I would be surprised if the suit goes anywhere.

[FarPoint]

28. You sound thrilled

Zimmy gets to earn more blood money.

[forgotmylogin]

76. Yeah

Not like he can get a job just anywhere.

[hrmjustin]

3. He should not get any money from that lawsuit at all.

[JustAnotherGen]

31. If it goes to a jury

And they say he doesn't deserve it - folks will have to live with that - won't they? . I wonder if the trial will be held in NY? I can't see them just handling this amongst attorneys - especially as under attack as our media is by one set of courts. They deserve their day in an open court too.

[hrmjustin]

33. I don't know where the trial will be.

[JustAnotherGen]

44. Since this activity

Occurred at 30 Rock - wouldn't they have to sue them in the state where the activity took place?

One of my husbands businesses is in PA and he has a lawsuit against a company based in Albany. His attorneys filed in that county in NY.

[hrmjustin]

51. Makes sense to me.

[RedCappedBandit]

4. Slimeball will go on to live a cushy fucking life

while TM's family will never be the same.

[Pelican]

15. They got their million bucks from the HOA....

Still not the same but they got something....

[Spazito]

20. Yes, they did, and now they have the funds necessary to bring forward a wrongful death suit...

thank goodness for that settlement. It allows them to continue to pursue justice for Trayvon via a different avenue.

[lumpy]

92. If I had any bucks to spare, I would send them to the Martins. This miscarriage of justice has

really affected me.

[Spazito]

93. I agree, I hope many will contribute to a fund to help defray the cost of a civil suit...

this case has deeply affected me as well, it brought home even more starkly that 'walking while black' can allow someone to follow you, confront you, shoot you and it's all legal in the state of Florida and, most likely, the other states with SYG laws like Florida.

[RedCappedBandit]

25. Disturbingly Insensitive. nt

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

5. He is a racist and predatory villain.

He can go fucking die for all I care.

[arcane1]

7. George is in for a disappointment

Editing for brevity, whether audio or video, is a common and age-old practice in television. He'll have to prove it was deliberately done to make him "sound like a villain". Not likely.

[unreadierLizard]

10. They edited out the part

where the dispatcher asked him what race the person looked but left in his response.

That's a pretty slanted thing, even if I think he's guilty.

[burnodo]

21. is there a link to the edited audio?

[premium]

24. Ask and ye shall receive.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=nbc+edits+george+zimmerman+911+call&mid=29A71705347C073F419A29A71705347C073F419A&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1

[burnodo]

37. with respect, you didn't provide me with a link to the edited audio, which is what I asked for

Instead there was Fox News , who's Zimmerman/Martin side-by-side was telling about what they thought about the subject, telling us what NBC edited out.

[premium]

63. Try this one.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+nbc+edited+zimmerman+tape&view=detail&mid=2719BB7A366525C5874E2719BB7A366525C5874E&first=0&FORM=NVPFVR

[burnodo]

64. thanks

still not a link to the edited audio

[premium]

68. Here, I think this is it.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+nbc+edited+zimmerman+tape&view=detail&mid=CB706DC4DD217A739522CB706DC4DD217A739522&first=21&FORM=NVPFVR

[premium]

13. Make no mistake, he's got a damned good case,

NBC has already admitted it, apologized for it, and fired the persons responsible for it. He's probably also named those that were fired.

[arcane1]

29. They admitted it was a deliberate smear attempt?

[premium]

41. IMO, there's no doubt that it was done with malice intent,

otherwise, then why do it? It was very clearly intended to convey the message that G. Zimmerman was racially profiling that night, whether he was or not, I don't know, but the intent of NBC is there.

Now, that being said, a civil jury may not hold NBC personally responsible and just hold the terminated employees responsible, or the may go for the whole kit and caboodle and hold NBC and those involved responsible, or, they may just throw the whole case out.
You never know what a jury will do, if it even makes it that far.

[arcane1]

45. "You never know what a jury will do" - amen to that!

I'm curious: did NBC play the entire call, with just the "what race is he?" question edited out, or did they play snippets of the call and that question wasn't one of the snippets?

[premium]

48. Here's what they played.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=nbc+edits+george+zimmerman+911+call&view=detail&mid=AC4A212781AC0202FAC4AC4A212781AC0202FAC4&first=0&FORM=NVPFVR&qpvt=nbc+edits+george+zimmerman+911+call

[arcane1]

59. Thanks! I'll check it out when I get home.

[premium]

66. Here's a better link.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+nbc+edited+zimmerman+tape&view=detail&mid=CB706DC4DD217A739522CB706DC4DD217A739522&first=21&FORM=NVPFVR

[burnodo]

69. ah! an actual actual link to the edit

I guess people don't know what these are for ". . ."

Did NBC (apparently originally aired on the Today show) say specifically that they were playing the entire 911 call?

[premium]

73. That I don't know,

what I do know is that they admitted it, apologized for it and terminated the employees responsible for it.

[tularetom]

70. He doesn't just have to prove intent, he has to prove damages as well

And damages doesn't mean that his little pudgy feelings were hurt it has to be something he can put a price tag on.

As far as I can see he didn't suffer any quantifiable damages from what NBC did.

Maybe he can get his legal fees back but I think his family already convinced a lot of suckers to pick up the tab for those anyway.

[premium]

72. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. nt.

[Jefferson23]

95. Would you happen to have a link to the NBC apology you're referring to?

Thank you.

[AndyA]

9. George Zimmerman IS a racist and predatory villain

Just because the jury was full of idiots, doesn't mean the rest of the country can't see that.

Plus, resisting officer with violence, battery of law enforcement officer, and a restraining order against him for domestic violence.

Nice guy, just the kind of person the world needs walking around with a concealed weapon. Now he's gotten away with murder. He hasn't fooled anyone, except for those six jurors, apparently.

[warrior1]

11. since he got off

I don't think he's got a case

[premium]

17. His being found not guilty in the criminal case is irrelevant

to the civil case.

[lumpy]

94. Thank goodness we have a legal beagle on DU.

n

[premium]

97. Comes from my 30+ years of dealing with the Federal court system

as a FLEO.
What's your experience?

[Politicalboi]

16. But he is a racist murderer

Just because the dumb jury didn't find him guilty, doesn't mean he's not. Besides, he might not be around long enough to collect.

[premium]

18. And that has what to do with the civil lawsuit?

FBI is already on record as saying that they didn't find any racial component in the shooting.

[Ruby the Liberal]

34. Link for this?

Last edited Sun Jul 14, 2013, 03:11 PM - Edit history (1)

Edit - was posted elsewhere:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/12/us-usa-florida-shooting-idUSBRE86B1AD20120712

[Mr. David]

60. FBI will be ordered to reinvestigate

thoroughly.

And then George Zimmerman will have to be indicted again, arraigned in a federal court and ordered to stand trial.

Then this time, the 12 members of the jury will definetely find him guilty and sentence him to death.

[kestrel91316]

79. Why do I doubt your motives in coming here and posting this hyperbole??

[premium]

96. You forgot this.

[arthritisR_US]

19. I agree. n/t

[JaneyVee]

26. Finally, a case he'll lose.

[bowens43]

32. so the “racist and predatory villain” sues them

for telling us that he's a for telling us that he's a “racist and predatory "

unfucking believable

[Taverner]

35. And the peckerhead might win this one too...

[Spazito]

46. Zimmerman has to prove harm done...

and there was no harm done, NBC took corrective action and fired those responsible and played the call unedited.

The verdict plays no part in this suit, if it did it would actually harm Zimmerman's claim seeing as he was found not guilty.

[HiPointDem]

47. wasting no time....

[Crabby Appleton]

50. Suit was filed in Dec 2012

[HiPointDem]

75. wasting no time...

[Mr. David]

49. Any and all lawsuits from George Zimmerman should be denied and thrown out, sanctioned

and pay a hefty fine.

We have to find ways to punish Zimmerman for his crime.

He will ALWAYS be guilty to me.

[Nye Bevan]

77. Should this apply to anyone who is accused of a crime and found not guilty?

Or just the cases where you disapprove of the not guilty verdict?

[NaturalHigh]

67. This was filed several months ago.

I can't say that I blame him. The tapes were edited.

[burnodo]

71. "He looks like he's up to no good..."

Did NBC say they were airing the unedited audio?

[ShadowLiberal]

80. And so Zimmerman begins to make Millions off of his murder

First he'll sue a bunch of people in the media.

And then he'll publish a book about how he murdered Trayvon Martin and make at least a million dollars off that to, probably more.

[lumpy]

81. How does Zimmerman know what NBC intent was on the news cast ? I guess he would have to

prove it. We didn't have to depend on NBC to believe Zimmerman a predatory villain and racist, at any rate.
This arrogant killer is going to use every available source to try and make a monetary killing off his killing.

[Crepuscular]

85. This action will never see a courtroom

NBC will settle, as will CNN when Zimmerman sues them.

[mattclearing]

86. Good.

More right-wing money wasted.

[miked62916]

98. what a shameless SOB

It's a real shame he was acquitted of his crimes. Bastard.

[lolly]

99. If NBC decides to fight it

They could do some real damage, even if they lose eventually.

Zimmerman would have to agree to be deposed. It might be interesting what comes out of those depositions.

More likely--if there is any chance they could lose, they will settle out of court.