Zachary Young alleged CNN smeared him by implying he illegally profited when helping people flee Afghanistan on the “black market” during the Biden administration’s military withdrawal from the country in 2021.
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PANAMACITY,Fla.–AjuryfoundthatCNNcommitteddefamationagainstU.S.NavyveteranZacharyYoungandisresponsibleforpunitivedamagesonFridayaftermorethaneighthoursofdeliberation.
ThejuryruledYoungisawarded$4millioninlostearnings,$1inpersonaldamagessuchaspainandsufferingandsaidthatpunitivedamagesarewarrantedagainstCNN.
Thejurywillnowproceedtophasetwoofthetrialtodeterminepunitivedamages.Lawyersoneachsidewillhaveachancetopresentevidencetodeterminepunitivedamages.
CNNDEFAMATIONTRIAL:CLOSINGARGUMENTSMADEASJURYBEGINSTODELIBERATELAWSUITAGAINSTNETWORK
YoungallegedthatCNNsmearedhimbyimplyingheillegallyprofitedwhenhelpingpeople fleeAfghanistan onthe“blackmarket”duringthe Bidenadministration’s militarywithdrawalfromthecountryin2021. YoungbelievesCNN“destroyedhisr