Panama City, Florida – US Navy veteran Zachary Young is celebrating the “verdict” he received at the conclusion of an intense two-week court battle after a jury found that CNN had defamed him.
“I’m glad it’s over,” Young told Fox News Digital in an interview. “Feels very, very, very good.”
After deliberating for more than eight hours, the six-person jury ruled that Young should be awarded $4 million in lost earnings, $1 million for personal damages such as pain and suffering and said punitive damages against CNN. Damage is guaranteed. But as the second phase of the trial got underway, lawyers for both Young and CNN filed a petition before 14th Judicial Circuit Court Judge William S. Told Henry that they had reached an agreement.
“It’s been a long time, three years, and to have the outcome that we wanted, that was publicly certified, is an incredible feeling. And I’m glad it’s over, and we get more time to debate. No more spending years trying to figure out the meaning of a word,” Young said.
Jury finds CNN defamed Navy veteran, settles on punitive damages
US Navy veteran Zachary Young speaks to Fox News Digital following his defamation victory against CNN. (Joseph A. Wolfsohn/Fox News Digital)
The settlement amount was not disclosed, but it came after an expert witness suggested that $150 million was an appropriate amount to punish CNN.
After a years-long legal battle with CNN, Young told Fox News Digital that he has “no animosity” toward the network.
“I think it was a good result for both of us,” Young said. “I am able to move on with my life now, and for a very long time I couldn’t even imagine what that would look like or feel like. I’m still wondering what it will feel like when the dust settles. But I have no animosity toward CNN.”
He added, “I hope they learn something from this experience.” “I hope they take this as an opportunity to look in the mirror and realize that, you know, there is room for change and improvement, and if that’s the outcome on CNN and maybe other people in the media will see that as well.” “Can do something that is positive.”
CNN defamation lawsuit: Closing arguments delivered after jury begins deliberating case against network
CNN settled a defamation case against Young after a jury found that the network had defamed him. (John Graeme/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Val Friedman, Young’s lead attorney in the defamation suit against CNN, also spoke about the legal victory.
“We were able to clear Jack’s name, get a verdict, and then a settlement so he could avoid a lengthy appeal and move on with his life,” Friedman told Fox News Digital. “So, as a lawyer, this is exactly what you want to do.”
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a CNN spokesperson said, “We are proud of our journalists and we are 100% committed to strong, fearless and fair-minded reporting at CNN, although we will certainly not We can learn useful lessons, we will.” In this case.”
CNN defamation lawsuit: Editor who said story was ‘full of holes like Swiss cheese’ presented to witness
Young accused CNN of defaming him after it aired a graphic linking him to “black markets” during a segment that first aired on “The Lead with Jake Tapper.” (CNN/Screenshot)
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Young accused CNN of smearing him by saying that he made illegal profits while helping people flee Afghanistan through the “black market.” of the Biden administration Military withdrawal from the country in 2021. Young believed that CNN “destroyed his reputation and business” by branding him an illegal profiteer exploiting “desperate Afghans” during a November 2021 segment.
Young’s legal team obtained CNN’s internal messages through discovery, which repeatedly showed employees expressing hostility toward the Navy veteran. One of the men presented to the jury called him a “bag” and an “a-hole”, with one saying he had a “punchable face”.
It was also revealed that Alex Marquardt, the CNN correspondent who led the on-air report, had told a colleague, “We’ll catch this Zachary Young MF-er,” a message frequently quoted throughout the trial.
Fox News’ Brian Flood and Anne McCuen contributed to this report.
