Date: 12-17-2001

Case Style: Robert Tayar v. Palmer Communications, Inc.,

Case Number: CJ-97-2237-62

Judge: Bryan Dixon

Court: District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

Plaintiff's Attorney: Keith A. Ward and Charles L. Richardson of Richardson, Stoops, Richardson & Ward of Tulsa, Oklahoma

Defendant's Attorney: Robert Nelon and John Epstein of Hall, Estill et al. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Description: This case was a defamation action. Robert Tayar was the owner of Molly Murphy's restaurant in Oklahoma City. Two women separately won from a local radio station complimentary gift certificates valued at $25.00 redeemable at Molly Murphy's restaurant. The restaurant refused to permit the women to use both certificates on the same evening. The women called Channel 4's action line with their complaint against the restaurant. Channel 4 called the restaurant three times for comments and/or an interview, all of which were refused. As a result, the reporter came into the restaurant with camera and lights rolling. When Mr. Tayar saw the reporter, he repeatedly shoved the reporter and twice struck the camera. The reporter and cameraman placed him under citizen's arrest, filmed the arrest and broadcast the whole ordeal. Because the broadcast portrayed Mr. Tayar as dishonest in dealing with his customers, he sued for defamation. The jury agreed that the broadcast was defamatory.

Outcome: Plaintiff's verdict for $700,000

Plaintiff's Experts: Bob Losure, of Tulsa, Oklahoma and former CNN News Anchor

Defendant's Experts: Joe Angotti, Professor, Northwestern University and former Producer of Evening News with Dan Rather

Comments: Reported by Keith A. Ward