Tag Archives: Zachary Young

Jury finds CNN committed defamation against Navy veteran, awards punitive damages

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Decision comes after more than eight hours of deliberation

By Brian Flood

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – A jury found that CNN committed defamation against U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young and is responsible for punitive damages on Friday after more than eight hours of deliberation. 

The jury ruled Young is awarded $4 million in lost earnings, $1 in personal damages such as pain and suffering and said that punitive damages are warranted against CNN. 

The jury will now proceed to phase two of the trial to determine punitive damages. Lawyers on each side will have a chance to present evidence to determine punitive damages. 

Young alleged that CNN smeared him by implying he illegally profited when helping people flee Afghanistan on the “black market” during the Biden administration’s military withdrawal from the country in 2021. Young believes CNN “destroyed his reputation and business” by branding him an illegal profiteer” who exploited “desperate Afghans” during a November 11, 2021, report by Alex Marquardt that first aired on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper.” (click to continue reading)

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Jury finds CNN committed defamation against Navy veteran, awards punitive damages

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

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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