News

May 28, 2010

State Supreme Court overturns defamation verdict against Citizens' Voice

 

The state Supreme Court today overturned a $3.5 million defamation verdict against the Citizens’ Voice newspaper and directed that a new trial be held.

 The ruling in the case of Thomas Joseph comes three months after Lehigh County Judge William Platt recommended the verdict be tossed based on his finding of an appearance of impropriety in the manner former Judge Mark Ciavarella handled the case.

 The newspaper sought to overturn the verdict after it discovered evidence that former judge Michael Conahan – Ciavarella’s co-defendant in a corruption case – had improperly steered the trial to Ciavarella.

 Platt, who was specially appointed to review the case, held a two-day hearing in Lehigh County Court in July. He determined there was sufficient evidence to support the newspaper’s claims and recommended the verdict be overturned. It was up to the Supreme Court to make the final ruling.

For the complete story read Thursday’s Times Leader.

 

 

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