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Texas Beef Group, et al v. Winfrey, et al.

Date: 02-23-1998

Case Number: 96CV208

Judge: Mary Lou Robinson

Court: USDC ND Texas

Plaintiff's Attorney: David Christopher Mullin
and Vincent Earl Nowak of Mullin Hoard & Brown,
Amarillo, Texas;
Joseph F. Coyne, Jr. and
Michael J. St.Denis of
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton,
Los Angeles, California;
Kevin A. Isern of the Law Office of Kevin A. Isern, Amarillo, Texas; and
Tom Upchurch, Jr., of Tom Upchurch Jr & Associates, Amarillo, Texas.

Defendant's Attorney: Charles L. Babcock and
Nancy Wells Hamilton
of Jackson & Walkers, L.L.P., Dallas, Texas;
Robert E. Garner of Garner, Lovell & Stein, P.C., Amarillo, Texas;
Barry Don Peterson of Peterson Farris Doores & Jones, P.C., Amarillo,
Texas.

Description:
Libel, slander and assault claims under Texas' food disparagement laws by
Texas cattlemen resulting from comments by television personality Oprah Winfrey
and her guest Howard Lyman during a show broadcast on April 16, 1996.
Plaintiffs claim that Ms. Winfrey and Mr. Lyman disparaged beef and beef
products relating to the possible risks of contracting "Mad Cow" disease.

Outcome:
Verdict for Defendants.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Wayne Purcell, Virginia Tech, economist.
Defendant's Experts:
Marvin Hayenga, Iowa State University, agricultural expert and Dan Slottje, Southern Methodist University, statistician.
Comments:
PR Watch, a free speech group, will be
reporting on this case as it progresses toward and through trial.

About This Case

What was the outcome of Texas Beef Group, et al v. Winfrey, et al.?

The outcome was: Verdict for Defendants.

Which court heard Texas Beef Group, et al v. Winfrey, et al.?

This case was heard in <a href="http://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/">USDC ND Texas</a>, TX. The presiding judge was Mary Lou Robinson.

Who were the attorneys in Texas Beef Group, et al v. Winfrey, et al.?

Plaintiff's attorney: David Christopher Mullin and Vincent Earl Nowak of Mullin Hoard & Brown, Amarillo, Texas; Joseph F. Coyne, Jr. and Michael J. St.Denis of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, Los Angeles, California; Kevin A. Isern of the Law Office of Kevin A. Isern, Amarillo, Texas; and Tom Upchurch, Jr., of Tom Upchurch Jr & Associates, Amarillo, Texas.. Defendant's attorney: Charles L. Babcock and Nancy Wells Hamilton of Jackson & Walkers, L.L.P., Dallas, Texas; Robert E. Garner of Garner, Lovell & Stein, P.C., Amarillo, Texas; Barry Don Peterson of Peterson Farris Doores & Jones, P.C., Amarillo, Texas..

When was Texas Beef Group, et al v. Winfrey, et al. decided?

This case was decided on February 23, 1998.