Plaintiff’s attorney says CNN engaged in ‘calculated attack,’ while defense implores jury to use ‘common sense’

By Brian Flood , Joseph A. Wulfsohn

Lawyers delivered powerful closing arguments on Thursday as U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young’s high-profile defamation trial against CNN heads to the jury. 

Young alleges CNN smeared him in a November 2021 report by correspondent Alex Marquardt that first aired on “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” suggesting he illegally profited off desperate people trying to flee Afghanistan following the Biden administration’s military withdrawal, implying he was involved in “black market” dealings and ruining his professional reputation as a result.

“It was a calculated attack by CNN on his character that has inflicted deep and lasting wounds,” Young’s lead counsel Vel Freedman told jurors.  (Click to continue reading)

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CNN defamation trial: Closing arguments made as jury begins to deliberate lawsuit against network