US News
Louisiana Supreme Court justice awarded $300,000 in defamation trial against newspaper
A state jury found The Advocate liable for defamation over a 2019 editorial concerning a past child custody case, awarding significantly less than the $10 million sought.
The short version
- A Louisiana jury awarded state Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Davis Hughes III $300,000 in a defamation lawsuit against The Advocate.
- The lawsuit stemmed from a 2019 editorial discussing Hughes' handling of a 1990s child custody case while serving as a district court judge.
- Hughes sought $10 million in damages, but the jury settled on $300,000 after 45 minutes of deliberations.
- It remains unknown whether The Advocate plans to appeal the verdict.
Key facts
- A jury in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, awarded $300,000 to state Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Davis Hughes III in a defamation suit against the Advocate.[The Guardian]
- The trial focused on a 2019 editorial criticizing Hughes' handling of a 1998–1999 child custody case during his time as a district judge.[The Guardian]
- Hughes originally sought $10 million in damages for emotional distress and harm to his reputation.[The Guardian]
- Judge Kevin Kimball ruled prior to the verdict that Hughes met the standard to present evidence of reckless disregard for the truth by the newspaper.[The Guardian]
- The jury deliberated for 45 minutes before deciding on the $300,000 award.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- It is not immediately clear whether The Advocate will appeal the jury's verdict.[The Guardian]