Jury Finds The New York Times Defamed Alabama Basketball Player, Awards $9.25 Million
An Alabama jury has awarded $9.25 million in damages after determining that The New York Times defamed college basketball player Kai Spears. The lawsuit stemmed from an article published in January 2023 that incorrectly reported Spears was present at the scene of a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa. Spears, who played for the University of Alabama men’s team, claimed the inaccurate reporting caused him emotional distress and unfairly linked him to a murder. The New York Times had cited an anonymous source familiar with the investigation in its initial report. Days after the publication, the newspaper acknowledged its error in an editor’s note and corrected the story. The eight-person jury delivered its verdict after a nine-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The Times spokesperson, Charlie Stadtlander, expressed disappointment with the verdict, stating the newspaper believes it is contrary to law and not supported by evidence, and is reviewing its legal options. This marks... 
