As jury began deliberations in the defamation case against CNN, direct guidance for U.S. Navy former Zachary Young demanded on Friday to” stand up against fraudulent information.”
Young sued CNN over its reportedly disparaging report, which he claimed falsely claimed he was the author of an alleged “black market” of exploiting desperate Afghans seeking eviction from Afghanistan. Fresh claimed that because of the use of the word “black market,” he lost his job as a result of the report. A security agreement that Young had explicitly forbids involvement in “black areas” was shown to judges.
Young’s lead attorney, Vel Freedman, implored jurors to” stand up against fake news” and to “make the phone ring in Georgia]CNN’s headquarters ]”.
” Send a message]to CNN]”, Freedman said, arguing the report was” a calculated attack by CNN on]Young’s ] character that has inflicted deep and lasting wounds”.
Freedman claimed that Zak’s ability to enter a room with confidence and be perceived as a professional with dignity has been compromised. ” His pain and suffering, mental anguish, seeing his name dragged through the dirt. These accidents go beyond financial losses. They “pierce” someone’s consciousness, which is who they were.
Freedman made a point of highlighting that CNN reporter Alex Marquardt, who later led the report that later appeared on” The Lead with Jake Tapper” and elsewhere, acknowledged he had no proof that Young had taken advantage of desperate Afghans but nonetheless continued to tell the story and that Marquardt was filmed claiming his alleged phone call to Young was just” theater” during his closing argument.
]READ NEXT: Lawyer: CNN Propagandist Tried To Find Dirt On Navy Veteran 7 Times, Failed, And Also Published A Hit Piece With’ No Information’ ]
Freedman added that jurors if” never permit CNN to rewrite the English language to avoid liability in this case,” even though CNN contends the word “black market” does not reflect any improper wrong.
” You have a tool to protect American media”, Freedman said. ” It’s called punitive damages. Apply it”.
Jurors deliberated for almost five hours on Thursday, but no conviction was reached. They then resumed deliberations on Friday night.
The Federalist’s Brianna Lyman is a journalist for elections. With a degree in International Political Economy, Brianna received her diploma from Fordham University. Her job has been featured on Newsmax, Fox News, Fox Business and RealClearPolitics. Following Brianna on X: @briannalyman2
