NLJ has the details:
It's the kind of story that tends to get big play on the legal blog Above the Law: A prominent University of Miami School of Law professor and civil rights advocate arrested on suspicion of soliciting an undercover officer for sex.
The blog had plenty of fun with the story in October 2007 with a series of posts about Donald Marvin Jones, whom it dubbed "The Nutty Professor."
The only problem was that it didn't happen that way, and the blog's coverage veered into racism, according to a lawsuit Jones has filed in federal court. He alleged that Above the Law portrayed him in a false light, invaded his privacy and infringed the university's copyright on his faculty photo. Jones seeks $22 million in damages.
An online article about the arrest by David Lat, Above the Law's managing editor, "instigated its readers not only to read the post but also to join in what was clearly a viciously racist series of rants" directed at the African-American professor, the suit claims.
Jones did not respond Monday to calls for comment on the lawsuit, which he filed pro se in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on Oct. 27. The suit names Lat, Above the Law publisher David Minkin and parent company Dead Horse Media Inc., now called Breaking Media LLC, as defendants. Lat also declined comment on the suit.
Judge Cooke pulled the case. Here's the complaint.
The SDFLA Blog is dedicated to providing news and notes regarding federal practice in the Southern District of Florida. The New Times calls the blog "the definitive source on South Florida's federal court system." All tips on court happenings are welcome and will remain anonymous. Please email David Markus at dmarkus@markuslaw.com
10 comments:
This is a joke, right? The person who drafted this complaint is a law professor?
I assume that the professor does not teach civil procedure. I'm not a civil lawyer but I remember learning that in federal court you must allege citizenship, not residency. And for corporations don't you have to allege principal place of business.
Those who can't do . . . .
You think only citizens can sue in federal court and a corporation can due business in a state or district and be immune from suit by virtue of its place of incorporation? Not a civil lawyer? I don't think you even went to law school.
The Lisbon treaty was signed today, giving way for the one-world government spoken of in the books of Revelation and Daniel. Check it out for yourselves.
Hey 11:50, there is a concept called diversity jurisdiction in federal court. Perhaps you've heard of it?
What's the over/under on Rothstein's initial appearance?
Good dose of drama. Only at Miami Law...
Professor Stefin would not have been pleased with that complaint...probably would have given him a half grade bump down.
Did anyone notice that the professor who is a self appointed expert on african americans spelled the first african american president's name wrong! This might be the most gramatically challenged writing I have ever seen. Take a look at the facts section . . . good god. Not to mention the document is FILLED with typos.
If Lat doesn't get Markus to represent him - he's a fool!
Post a Comment