Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has been granted a new trial in her defamation lawsuit against The New York Times after the judge in the case ruled that the jury in the initial trial was not properly instructed on the law.
Palin filed the lawsuit against The New York Times in 2017, claiming that the newspaper had falsely linked her to a 2011 mass shooting in Arizona. The Times had published an editorial that implied Palin’s political rhetoric had incited the shooting, even though there was no evidence to support this claim.
In the initial trial, the jury found in favor of The New York Times, but Judge Jed Rakoff of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has now ruled that the jury was not given the correct instructions on the law governing defamation cases involving public figures. As a result, he has ordered a new trial.
Palin’s lawyer, Shane Vogt, hailed the decision as a victory for the former vice-presidential candidate, saying that the ruling “underscores the importance of the jury receiving proper guidance on the law.” The New York Times, on the other hand, maintains that they are confident they will prevail in the new trial.
The case has attracted significant attention due to Palin’s status as a prominent political figure and her ongoing feud with the media. The outcome of the new trial could have implications for how journalists and media outlets cover public figures in the future.
Overall, Palin’s victory in being granted a new trial is seen as a step towards holding the media accountable for their reporting on public figures and ensuring that defamation laws are properly enforced. The new trial is expected to take place in the coming months.
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