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Kevin Webb v. Virginian-Pilot
Date: 02-11-2011
Case Number:
Judge: Randall D. Smith
Court: Chesapeake Circuit Court, Virginia
Plaintiff's Attorney: Jeremiah Denton III, Jeremiah A. Denton III, P.C., Virginia Beach, Virginia
Defendant's Attorney: Conrad Shumadine, Willcox & Savage, P.C., Norfolk, Virginia
Description:
Kevin Webb, age 19, sued the Virginian-Pilot on a libel theory claiming that it falsely reported that he bullied a classmate. He claimed that the information published about him was false and misleading.
The Virginia-Pilot had this to say about the case:
"The Virginian-Pilot libeled a Great Bridge High School student when it reported that he bullied a schoolmate, a Circuit Court jury decided Friday. The jury awarded Kevin Webb, now 19, $5 million in damages plus interest.
Webb asserted that the newspaper falsely accused him of the bullying in a Dec. 18, 2009, report by staff writer Louis Hansen. The story was about Webb's sentencing for misdemeanor assault and trespass convictions involving the schoolmate's father. Webb further contended that The Pilot distorted the truth by leaving out negative information about the other student.
The newspaper denied the allegations and stood behind the story.
The seven-member jury deliberated for just more than two hours on the seventh day of the trial.
Webb's lawyer, Jeremiah Denton III, argued Friday that the bullying allegations were added to the story to help it get onto the front page. He asked the jury for millions to compensate Webb for having his reputation ruined.
The schoolmate "wasn't being bullied," Denton said. "That's flat-out false."
Conrad Shumadine, representing The Virginian-Pilot, countered that the article was accurate. He said Hansen carefully reported it from interviews and court records, including asking the Webbs for interviews at the sentencing but was rebuffed.
Shumadine said the bullying aspect was a smaller, explanatory part of a story about an assault conviction. Any damage to Webb's reputation came from that conviction, he argued.
A similar lawsuit by Webb's father, Phillip Webb, is pending.
Lawyers for The Pilot asked to have Friday's verdict and damages set aside, saying the evidence and the law didn't support them. Judge Randall D. Smith postponed recording the verdict until lawyers for both sides could present written arguments."
The Virginia-Pilot had this to say about the case:
"The Virginian-Pilot libeled a Great Bridge High School student when it reported that he bullied a schoolmate, a Circuit Court jury decided Friday. The jury awarded Kevin Webb, now 19, $5 million in damages plus interest.
Webb asserted that the newspaper falsely accused him of the bullying in a Dec. 18, 2009, report by staff writer Louis Hansen. The story was about Webb's sentencing for misdemeanor assault and trespass convictions involving the schoolmate's father. Webb further contended that The Pilot distorted the truth by leaving out negative information about the other student.
The newspaper denied the allegations and stood behind the story.
The seven-member jury deliberated for just more than two hours on the seventh day of the trial.
Webb's lawyer, Jeremiah Denton III, argued Friday that the bullying allegations were added to the story to help it get onto the front page. He asked the jury for millions to compensate Webb for having his reputation ruined.
The schoolmate "wasn't being bullied," Denton said. "That's flat-out false."
Conrad Shumadine, representing The Virginian-Pilot, countered that the article was accurate. He said Hansen carefully reported it from interviews and court records, including asking the Webbs for interviews at the sentencing but was rebuffed.
Shumadine said the bullying aspect was a smaller, explanatory part of a story about an assault conviction. Any damage to Webb's reputation came from that conviction, he argued.
A similar lawsuit by Webb's father, Phillip Webb, is pending.
Lawyers for The Pilot asked to have Friday's verdict and damages set aside, saying the evidence and the law didn't support them. Judge Randall D. Smith postponed recording the verdict until lawyers for both sides could present written arguments."
Outcome:
Plaintiff's verdict for $5 million.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of Kevin Webb v. Virginian-Pilot?
The outcome was: Plaintiff's verdict for $5 million.
Which court heard Kevin Webb v. Virginian-Pilot?
This case was heard in Chesapeake Circuit Court, Virginia, VA. The presiding judge was Randall D. Smith.
Who were the attorneys in Kevin Webb v. Virginian-Pilot?
Plaintiff's attorney: Jeremiah Denton III, Jeremiah A. Denton III, P.C., Virginia Beach, Virginia. Defendant's attorney: Conrad Shumadine, Willcox & Savage, P.C., Norfolk, Virginia.
When was Kevin Webb v. Virginian-Pilot decided?
This case was decided on February 11, 2011.