Judge Rules: George Zimmerman To Receive No Money From NBC Over Lawsuit
On Monday, a Florida judge rejected acquitted killer, George Zimmerman’s suit, which sought damages from NBC for allegedly portraying the neighborhood watch volunteer as racist in a series of news reports about the shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin.
Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson ruled that the former neighborhood watch volunteer is entitled to no money from NBC, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Zimmerman’s suit is finished unless it’s reversed by an appeals court.
A spokesperson for NBC News issued a statement, saying it is “gratified by the court’s dismissal of this lawsuit, which we have always believed to be without merit.”
Zimmerman, who was acquitted in 2013 of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the 2012 shooting death of Martin in a Florida gated community, had accused NBC News of defaming him by broadcasting edited clips of a 911 call he made on the night of the incident.
The clips made it appear as if Zimmerman volunteered that the teenager was black and had racially profiled him.
Zimmerman sued NBC Universal in 2012, accusing it of defaming him by practicing “yellow journalism.”
Zimmerman accused the news organization of defaming him in a separate broadcast by falsely reporting that he used a racial epithet in the same call, however, NBC News fired at least two employees involved in the editing and publicly apologized.
The Orlando Sentinel reports:
At a hearing June 19, NBC attorney Lee Levine asked the judge to end the suit with a judgment in the network’s favor.
Zimmerman is a public figure, Levine said, and could not prove that he was the victim of “actual malice”, meaning that NBC employees either knew what they reported was false or had serious misgivings about it.
In her ruling, issued shortly before 9 a.m. today, Nelson wrote that that’s where Zimmerman’s suit fell apart.
“There exists absolutely no clear and convincing evidence that defendants knew that the information published was false at the time it was published, or recklessly disregarded the truth or falsity of those statements. …,” she wrote.
Zimmerman also alleged that the network intentionally inflicted emotional distress. Nelson shot down that claim, too.
In her 15-page order, she pointed out that time and again in March 2012 – the period during which Zimmerman claims NBC defamed him – the network quoted family members and friends who emphasized that Zimmerman was not a racist.
She also picked up on a tiny detail from the 911 call: that midway through the conversation, Zimmerman pointed out Trayvon’s race a second time, and that time it was without prompting.
“He’s got his hand in his waistband. And he’s a black male,” the then-Neighborhood Watch volunteer said.
(my bold)
Perhaps George can go back to copying creating more artwork to sell on Ebay.
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Anomaly100
54 responses to Judge Rules: George Zimmerman To Receive No Money From NBC Over Lawsuit
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BanditBasheert June 30th, 2014 at 13:13
Good – that little prick needs to get knocked down a few pegs. What a piece of human garbage he is.
Anomaly 100 June 30th, 2014 at 13:31
I wonder if he’s considered getting an actual job, instead of trying to make money from a kid’s death.
BanditBasheert June 30th, 2014 at 13:35
Who would hire that murdering little bastard?
Anomaly 100 June 30th, 2014 at 13:36
The GOP probably has an opening somewhere.
Billy Jackson June 30th, 2014 at 13:37
The NRA would love to put him as the next centerfold model in their upcoming magazine issue.
ChrisVosburg June 30th, 2014 at 16:38
Well, certainly not the Prince William County Police in VA, where our Defender of the Sacred Skittles applied, and as was testified in court– was rejected. [sad trombone]
Billy Jackson June 30th, 2014 at 13:37
He ought to start his own ‘Law ‘Forcement’ company, where all you have to do to qualify is hate blacks, carry a gun and love donuts.
Oh, and a ‘Law ‘Forcement’ belly is absolutely required.
The last of the Thousad Sons June 30th, 2014 at 14:31
Didn’t you know? there’s big money in the letting of black blood.
ChrisVosburg June 30th, 2014 at 16:40
He does paint a little. Real little.
Anomaly 100 June 30th, 2014 at 16:59
Oh, you mean he knows how to outline stuff from another artist’s work? He’s really talented like that.
ChrisVosburg June 30th, 2014 at 17:08
Oh man, [laughing] did he really? Now that’s comedy!
Anomaly 100 June 30th, 2014 at 17:17
Yes, yes he did.
R.J. Carter June 30th, 2014 at 18:40
Y’know, there’s a lot of people who do that.
Anomaly 100 June 30th, 2014 at 13:31
I wonder if he’s considered getting an actual job, instead of trying to make money from a kid’s death.
BanditBasheert June 30th, 2014 at 13:35
Who would hire that murdering little bastard?
Anomaly 100 June 30th, 2014 at 13:36
The GOP probably has an opening somewhere.
Billy Jackson June 30th, 2014 at 13:37
The NRA would love to put him as the next centerfold model in their upcoming magazine issue.
ChrisVosburg June 30th, 2014 at 16:38
Well, certainly not the Prince William County Police in VA, where our Defender of the Sacred Skittles applied, and as was testified in court– was rejected. [sad trombone]
Billy Jackson June 30th, 2014 at 13:37
He ought to start his own ‘Law ‘Forcement’ company, where all you have to do to qualify is hate blacks, carry a gun and love donuts.
Oh, and a ‘Law ‘Forcement’ belly is absolutely required.
Khary A June 30th, 2014 at 14:31
Didn’t you know? there’s big money in the letting of black blood.
ChrisVosburg June 30th, 2014 at 16:40
He does paint a little. Real little.
Anomaly 100 June 30th, 2014 at 16:59
Oh, you mean he knows how to outline stuff from another artist’s work? He’s really talented like that.
ChrisVosburg June 30th, 2014 at 17:08
Oh man, [laughing] did he really? Now that’s comedy!
Anomaly 100 June 30th, 2014 at 17:17
Yes, yes he did.
R.J. Carter June 30th, 2014 at 18:40
Y’know, there’s a lot of people who do that.
R.J. Carter June 30th, 2014 at 15:37
Of all the things he has done since the incident to make money, this is the singular one where he should have had a case, what with NBC’s manipulated recordings.
BanditBasheert June 30th, 2014 at 16:16
“There exists absolutely no clear and convincing evidence that defendants knew that the information published was false at the time it was published, or recklessly disregarded the truth or falsity of those statements. …,” the judge wrote.
Further down the judge stated that KillerZimmer TWICE mentioned Martin’s race without being asked during the 911 call.
Since he is a “public figure” and works hard at it, evidently she wasn’t convinced that the network actually damaged his reputation deliberately.
R.J. Carter June 30th, 2014 at 16:51
He’s proven himself to be quite the piece of work, post incident, and I wouldn’t give him a dime. The fact that he mentioned the person’s race twice without being asked doesn’t really mean much to me — he’s on a 911 call and he’s trying to give a description. NBC still edited out the dispatcher’s question about race when they aired the tape, and felt that was egregious enough to fire those responsible.
But he’s got his work cut out for him to say it damaged his reputation more than he’s already done himself.
fancypants June 30th, 2014 at 17:59
the only thing manipulated was GZs statement to the police
NBC did the same as I would have done by having some fun with the audio
R.J. Carter June 30th, 2014 at 15:37
Of all the things he has done since the incident to make money, this is the singular one where he should have had a case, what with NBC’s manipulated recordings.
BanditBasheert June 30th, 2014 at 16:16
“There exists absolutely no clear and convincing evidence that defendants knew that the information published was false at the time it was published, or recklessly disregarded the truth or falsity of those statements. …,” the judge wrote.
Further down the judge stated that KillerZimmer TWICE mentioned Martin’s race without being asked during the 911 call.
Since he is a “public figure” and works hard at it, evidently she wasn’t convinced that the network actually damaged his reputation deliberately.
R.J. Carter June 30th, 2014 at 16:51
He’s proven himself to be quite the piece of work, post incident, and I wouldn’t give him a dime. The fact that he mentioned the person’s race twice without being asked doesn’t really mean much to me — he’s on a 911 call and he’s trying to give a description. NBC still edited out the dispatcher’s question about race when they aired the tape, and felt that was egregious enough to fire those responsible.
But he’s got his work cut out for him to say it damaged his reputation more than he’s already done himself.
fancypants June 30th, 2014 at 17:59
the only thing manipulated was GZs statement to the police
NBC did the same as I would have done by having some fun with the audio
IThinkForMyself June 30th, 2014 at 16:15
If you knew him you would think differently of him. but you are all to ignorant to go no deeper then the headlines.
ChrisVosburg June 30th, 2014 at 16:18
Like this guy?
BanditBasheert June 30th, 2014 at 16:20
Evidently to know Zimmerman, is not necessarily to love him.
ChrisVosburg June 30th, 2014 at 16:26
Pretty sure Shellie Zimmerman agrees.
BanditBasheert June 30th, 2014 at 16:28
So do all the ex girlfriends who are apparently so terrified of him that they refuse to press charges.
Kelly Payne June 30th, 2014 at 16:20
I KNOW ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIM BASED ON HIS AND HIS FAMILIES BEHAVIOR. HE A MURDER AND A LIAR FROM A FAMILY OF LIARS WHO WERE WILLING TO PERJURE THEMSELVES TO HELP HIM GET AWAY WITH KILLING A JUST TURNED 17 YEAR OLD BOY WHILE HE SCREAMED FOR HELP. HE’S A MURDERER WITH A VIOLENT HISTORY WHO GOT AWAY WITH IT.
BanditBasheert June 30th, 2014 at 16:22
People like Zimmerman always manage to have a few apologists don’t they? Typing in all caps is considered yelling – and it takes away from what you are actually saying.
Zimmerman is paying for what he did – he’s got nothing. And he will probably have nothing for the rest of his life. It’s not enough of course, but at least he is a miserable lonely SOB that everyone views as a killer.
IThinkForMyself June 30th, 2014 at 16:15
If you knew him you would think differently of him. but you are all to ignorant to go no deeper then the headlines.
ChrisVosburg June 30th, 2014 at 16:18
Like this guy?
BanditBasheert June 30th, 2014 at 16:20
Evidently to know Zimmerman, is not necessarily to love him. True sociopaths cannot connect with humans or human emotion. People mean nothing to them.
ChrisVosburg June 30th, 2014 at 16:26
Pretty sure Shellie Zimmerman agrees.
BanditBasheert June 30th, 2014 at 16:28
So do all the ex girlfriends who are apparently so terrified of him that they refuse to press charges.
Kelly Payne June 30th, 2014 at 16:20
I KNOW ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIM BASED ON HIS AND HIS FAMILIES BEHAVIOR. HE A MURDER AND A LIAR FROM A FAMILY OF LIARS WHO WERE WILLING TO PERJURE THEMSELVES TO HELP HIM GET AWAY WITH KILLING A JUST TURNED 17 YEAR OLD BOY WHILE HE SCREAMED FOR HELP. HE’S A MURDERER WITH A VIOLENT HISTORY WHO GOT AWAY WITH IT.
BanditBasheert June 30th, 2014 at 16:22
People like Zimmerman always manage to have a few apologists don’t they? Typing in all caps is considered yelling – and it takes away from what you are actually saying.
Zimmerman is paying for what he did – he’s got nothing. And he will probably have nothing for the rest of his life. It’s not enough of course, but at least he is a miserable lonely SOB that everyone views as a killer.
Foundryman June 30th, 2014 at 16:49
After getting away with cold blooded murder, he should have taken that gift and faded away. Instead he got greedy and started to believe his own lies and tried make it a payday. I wish I could say he got what he deserved, but he’s not in prison for life so i can’t.
Foundryman June 30th, 2014 at 16:49
After getting away with cold blooded murder, he should have taken that gift and faded away. Instead he got greedy and started to believe his own lies and tried make it a payday. I wish I could say he got what he deserved, but he’s not in prison for life so i can’t.
Clearwater1948 June 30th, 2014 at 17:46
I disagree with those of you who assumption is that George Zimmerman is a cold-blooded murderer. For whatever reason George Zimmerman was given the authority to carry a concealed weapon at the time of this incident. What took place that night that left one person dead and another charged for murder was nothing more than stupidity on both parties. First of all George Zimmerman lived in that area he had every right to be in that area so did Trayvon Martin just him being a US citizen allows him to be in that area. When the stupidity comes in is that George Zimmerman was told by the 911 operator not to pursue the individual he elected to ignore the 911 operator and allow his stupidity to run rapid as well as Trayvon Martin who laid in wait for George Zimmerman to show up so he could pounce on him if there was any racial motivation it was George Zimmerman who demonstrated the racial bigotry when he was on the phone with his girlfriend or friend who called George Zimmerman and white cracker. But Trayvon Martin laid in wait to pounce on George Zimmerman he had the opportunity to leave the area to walk away or run away he could’ve left the area he chose not to but what he chose to do was to wait for George Zimmerman to come along and to pounce on him. This is what actually happened and because of this one person is no longer with us and that in itself and because of his stupidity one person is no longer with us and that is the real crime
Anomaly 100 June 30th, 2014 at 19:31
Oh FFS. Trayvon’s family lived in the area and he had every right to be there. Quit parroting talking points because you will be proven wrong in all of them.
Everything you just wrote is b.s. Every single word. Congrats!
Clearwater1948 June 30th, 2014 at 17:46
I disagree with those of you who assumption is that George Zimmerman is a cold-blooded murderer. For whatever reason George Zimmerman was given the authority to carry a concealed weapon at the time of this incident. What took place that night that left one person dead and another charged for murder was nothing more than stupidity on both parties. First of all George Zimmerman lived in that area he had every right to be in that area so did Trayvon Martin just him being a US citizen allows him to be in that area. When the stupidity comes in is that George Zimmerman was told by the 911 operator not to pursue the individual he elected to ignore the 911 operator and allow his stupidity to run rapid as well as Trayvon Martin who laid in wait for George Zimmerman to show up so he could pounce on him if there was any racial motivation it was George Zimmerman who demonstrated the racial bigotry when he was on the phone with his girlfriend or friend who called George Zimmerman and white cracker. But Trayvon Martin laid in wait to pounce on George Zimmerman he had the opportunity to leave the area to walk away or run away he could’ve left the area he chose not to but what he chose to do was to wait for George Zimmerman to come along and to pounce on him. This is what actually happened and because of this one person is no longer with us and that in itself and because of his stupidity one person is no longer with us and that is the real crime
Anomaly 100 June 30th, 2014 at 19:31
Oh FFS. Trayvon’s family lived in the area and he had every right to be there. Quit parroting talking points because you will be proven wrong in all of them.
Everything you just wrote is b.s. Every single word. Congrats!
ChrisVosburg June 30th, 2014 at 19:06
Anybody (don’t have to be an attorney, just play one in comments) got any ideas on the likelihood of appeal here?
What I do know, based largely on the work of this fella, is that his case is being handled by a Philadelphia law firm which specializes in personal injury type cases, which typically handles this type of case on a contingency basis. I think we can assume that Zimmy has racked up at least a million in fees, but hasn’t any assets.
So if they decide to cut their losses at this point and persuade Zim to bugger off and don’t let the door hit ya, they’re out at least that amount. If they go forward with an appeal, it could be years before it’s settled, and I don’t see NBC’s well-heeled legal boys backing down here.
But then again, there’s that sweet free PR that comes from association with a high profile case, so there’s that.
Anybody else?