The six-person jury for the $1 billion defamation suit against CNN heard closing arguments on Thursday and started their deliberations. Both parties urged the jury to use their “common sense” to see them through deliberations and secure them the legal victory. But it was the argument of Vel Freedman, the lead counsel for Navy veteran and Plaintiff Zachary Young, who called on the jury, “Your verdict will stand in history” and to use the opportunity to “Stand up against fake news.”
Before the parties made their final pitch to the jury, they needed to be read the jury instructions. Noting that they should be viewing the evidence as an average person, Judge William Henry of the 14 Circuit Court in Bay County, Florida listed the issues the jury had the responsibility to determine:
- If CNN had published what was being viewed.
- If said material was “of…
