Jury says The New York Times defamed Alabama basketball player with incorrect story about shooting

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama jury on Thursday granted $9.25 million in damages to The New York Times after determining the newspaper defamed a college basketball player by publishing an incorrect report about his presence at a fatal shooting. Kai Spears, a University of Alabama men's basketball player, filed a lawsuit against the Times in 2023 following a report that suggested he was in a car involved in the shooting.

The newspaper initially reported the information "on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters," but later acknowledged the error and corrected the story. Spears' attorney, Matt Glover, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, stating that it would positively impact journalism across the country. The Times has not yet decided on its legal course of action following the loss.

Three other players from Spears' team were also present at the January 2023 shooting, which resulted in the death of a 23-year-old mother. Spears claimed that the inaccurate reporting caused him emotional distress and negatively connected him to a murder. The Times' spokesperson, Charlie Stadtlander, expressed disappointment with the verdict, deeming it contrary to law and unsupported by the evidence.

The newspaper noted that it had not lost a defamation lawsuit in the United States over an article in over 50 years.