Plaintiff in CNN defamation trial celebrates ‘acquittal’

Panama City, Florida – US Navy veteran Zachary Young is celebrating his “acquittal” after a jury found CNN defamed him, ending an intense two-week court battle.

“I’m glad it’s over,” Young said. Fox News Digital In an interview. “Feels very, very good.”

After more than eight hours of deliberations, the six-person jury awarded Young $4 million in lost profits, $1 million in personal damages such as pain and suffering, and said punitive damages were justified against CNN. But while the second phase of the trial was underway, lawyers for both Young and CNN said Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court Judge William S. Henry They reached a settlement.

“It’s been three long years, and to get the result we wanted, publicly ratified, is an incredible feeling. I’m glad it’s over, and we don’t have to spend more years and more time arguing.” “About the meaning of the word,” Young said.

Jury finds CNN committed defamation against Navy veteran, reaches settlement on punitive damages

The settlement amount was not disclosed, but it came after an expert witness indicated that $150 million was a fair amount to punish CNN.

After the years-long legal battle with CNN, Young told Fox News Digital that he has “no animosity” toward the network.

“I think this was a good result for both of us,” Young said. “I’m able to get on with my life now, and I couldn’t even imagine what that would look or feel like for a very long time. I still kind of wonder what that will feel like when the dust settles, but as far as the animosity toward CNN, I don’t have any animosity at all.” “Launching.”

He continued: “I hope they learn something from this experience.” “I hope they take this opportunity to look in the mirror and realize that, you know, there’s room for change and improvement, and if that’s the finding that CNN and maybe others in the media can also see that as a positive thing.”

CNN defamation trial: Closing arguments presented as the jury begins to debate a lawsuit against the network

Phil Friedman, Young’s lead lawyer in the defamation lawsuit against CNN, also hailed the legal victory.

“We were able to clear Zach’s name, get a judgment, and then settle so he could avoid lengthy appeals and move on with his life,” Friedman told Fox News Digital. “So, as a lawyer, that’s exactly what you want to do.”

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a CNN spokesperson said: “We are proud of our journalists and are 100% committed to strong, courageous and fair reporting at CNN, though of course we will learn what useful lessons we can.” “This case.”

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Young accused CNN of defaming him by insinuating that he illegally profited by helping people flee Afghanistan on the “black market” during the post-war period. Biden administration Military withdrawal from the country in 2021. Young believes CNN “ruined his reputation and business” by describing him as an illegal freeloader who took advantage of “desperate Afghans” during a November 2021 segment.

Young’s legal team obtained damning internal communications from CNN through discovery that repeatedly showed employees expressing public hostility toward the Navy veteran. Those presented to the jury included a person he described as a “little bag” and a “piercing” person, saying he had a “puncture-able face”.

He also revealed that Alex MarquardtThe CNN reporter who led the report said on air to a colleague, “We’re going to take this guy down Zachary Young—er,” a message often cited throughout the trial.

Fox News’ Brian Flood and Annie McQueen contributed to this report.