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

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, an Alabama jury has awarded $9.25 million in damages to Kai Spears, a former University of Alabama basketball player, after finding that The New York Times had defamed him. Spears alleged that The Times incorrectly reported that he was present at a fatal shooting in January 2023. The newspaper had cited an anonymous source in its report, stating that Spears was a passenger in the car involved in the shooting.

However, the Times later acknowledged the error and corrected the story in an editor's note. After a nine-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, an eight-member jury returned a verdict in Spears' favor. Spears' attorney, Matt Glover, expressed satisfaction with the decision, believing it would set a positive precedent for journalism across the country.

The Times, however, is reviewing its legal options and remains disappointed with the jury's decision, stating that it "found The Times liable for an honest mistake" and disagreed with the verdict and the amount of damages awarded. The incident involved three other basketball players from the university, who were also present at the shooting, which resulted in the death of a 23-year-old mother.

The Times' spokesperson, Charlie Stadtlander, acknowledged that the jury's verdict and award were contrary to law and not supported by the evidence.