New York Times Loses $9.25M Defamation Verdict to Ex-Alabama Player
The outlet called the inaccurate report “an honest mistake.”
Ex-Alabama basketball player Kai Spears was awarded a $9.25 million verdict in a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, according to a Tuscaloosa jury. The lawsuit stemmed from a 2023 article that falsely identified Spears as a passenger in a car during a fatal shooting. The deceased in the shooting was 23-year-old Jamea Harris, and Darius Miles was accused of involvement in the crime.
Miles is currently awaiting trial for capital murder. Brandon Miller, a current NBA player, was also present at the scene but was not charged. The New York Times expressed disappointment with the verdict, stating they believe the damages awarded are not supported by the evidence. The outlet issued a correction in response to the lawsuit, acknowledging errors in their initial reporting and attributing the mistake to an unnamed high-level source. Spears' attorneys did not provide immediate comment on the decision.
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