Defamation Suit Against Rolling Stone is Dismissed
"...the allegations is an (unfortunate) coincidence..."
6.29.2016
0
On Tuesday, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit filed by three University of Virginia fraternity members who accused Rolling Stone, publisher Wenner Media, and an author of defamation. The three fraternity members were falsely accused of rape by a woman named "Jackie" in a highly publicized Rolling Stone story.
U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel in Manhattan said details about the attackers in the November 2014 article by Sabrina Rubin Erdely were "too vague and remote" to make readers, family and friends believe that the plaintiffs George Elias IV, Ross Fowler and Stephen Hadford had a role in the alleged rape.
"In the plaintiffs' own words, any 'apparent connection between the plaintiffs and the allegations is an (unfortunate) coincidence,'" Castel wrote.
A lawyer for the defendents said they would review their options, including the possibility of an appeal.
The story "A Rape on Campus" garnered national attention, at first for its graphic and extreme accusations of a gang rape and then when the veracity of the story was challenged. Rolling Stone admitted there were "discrepancies" in the story and then later pulled the story entirely.
An investigation by the Charlottesville police found no evidence that "Jackie" was gang-raped, as the article alleged.
Posts
