Cases Involving Newsmakers
Vietnam Vet Sues CNN for Tailwind Report
Sgt. Keith Plancich, a former Green Beret involved in a 1970 U.S. military operation in Laos called "Operation Tailwind," sued CNN on August 6, 1998, after CNN broadcast and then retracted a report claiming Tailwind involved the use of nerve gas on American defectors.
Police Report on Louise Woodward Lawyer
Elaine Whitfield Sharp, a lawyer for British au pair Louise Woodward who has let Woodward stay with her in the U.S., was pulled over by Massachusetts state troopers on May 22, apparently drunk.
After some sobriety tests which Sharp allegedly failed, she was apparently taken first to the State Police barracks in Revere, Mass. and then to a local hospital.
Sgt. Randy Cipoletta, who pulled Sharp over, claims that Sharp told him at the time she was distraught because she had been reconsidering her presumption of Woodward's innocence: "I thought she was innocent, but now I know she is guilty and I can't handle it," she allegedly told Cipoletta.
Cipoletta also documented belligerent behavior by Sharp towards a number of state troopers and EMTs, including one exchange with Cipoletta during which he claims she asked him if he had been sued and told him, "You're going to know how it feels when I get through with you."
The trial lawyer also allegedly denied to officers several times that she understood her Miranda rights.
Another officer who took Sharp to the hospital says that she was hostile in the police car on route and vomited inside the car before resisting assistance out of the car from police.
Sharp admitted her DWI charge in court, but claims that the police had no evidence of her intoxication and says she never made the alleged statements.
"Faced with a lack of solid evidence in a case against a lawyer," she said, "the officer concocted a story to explain a reason for excessive alcohol consumption."
She also suggested that the police might have a bias against her because she is involved in a number of cases against local police departments and the Massachusetts State Police.
Woodward announced on June 1 that she was firing Sharp, saying through her lawyers that Sharp "has at times exhibited an aberrant pattern of behavior, as at the time of her arrest."
Woodward's remaining lawyers also said that Woodward had moved out of Sharp's home on March 27, 1998, contrary to recent British press reports that claimed Sharp threw Woodward out after she caught Woodward conducting seances.
Latrell Sprewell Sues the NBA
Latrell Sprewell, the Golden State Warriors basketball player, is suing the NBA for his suspension for choking his coach, P.J. Carlesimo. In a suit filed in U.S. District Court on May 20, 1998, Sprewell claims that he was excessively punished by the team and the NBA and that the suspension has rendered him unable to earn a living. Sprewell is seeking close to $30 million in damages, including $6.4 million in lost wages.
The suit alleges that the NBA and the Golden State Warriors unfairly "conspired to deprive Mr. Sprewell of the equal protection, privileges and immunities under the laws ... because of his race, Black and African-American." Sprewell
further accuses the NBA and the team of engaging in a negative media campaign against him. "As a result, Mr. Sprewell's image and good name have been tarnished and he has been subjected to public scorn and ridicule," states the lawsuit.
Sprewell was suspended by the NBA for one year (the longest suspension in NBA history) for a December 1, 1997 incident in which the player attacked Carlesimo during practice. In addition to the NBA suspension, the team suspended Sprewell for 10 days and later terminated his $32 million contract.
Diana's Estate Sues Franklin Mint
Princess Diana's estate and memorial fund is suing Franklin Mint for selling products bearing the princess's likeness. The lawsuit filed May 18, 1998 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles accused Franklin Mint of being "Like vultures feeding on the dead, Defendants are profiting from the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, by commercially exploiting her identity without permission and falsely implying that their actions are sanctioned and/or will benefit her Estate or the Fund." The suit further alleges that Franklin Mint has "failed to obtain consent to use Princess Diana's identity and trademark ... and embarked on a campaign to profit from Princess Diana's death." Franklin Mint, which sells several products commemorating Diana, including dolls and plates, claims that the proceeds from the sale are going to the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, a favorite charity of the princess.
Alyssa Milano Battles Nude Internet Photos
Alyssa Milano, best known as Tony Danza's daughter in the television series Who's the Boss, is suing several companies for selling nude photos of her on the Internet. Milano, 25, claims in two separate suits that these companies engaged in copyright infringement, violation of privacy, misappropriate of Milano's right of publicity and placing her in a false light. The companies, located in Canada, Los Angeles and Minnesota, allegedly sell digitally altered pictures of Milan and stills from films in which Milano appear nude.
Brian Peterson Plea Agreement
New Jersey teen Brian Peterson captured national headlines after being accused with his girlfriend Amy Grossberg of murdering their newborn son and dumping his body in a Delaware motel dumpster. With the prospect of an impending May 4th trial, Peterson plead guilty to manslaughter on March 9, 1998. As part of the agreement, he now faces a maximum of 10 years in prison instead of life in prison or the death sentence that he would have faced if convicted of murder.
U.S. v. Volpe, et al.
Five New York City police officers were charged with civil rights violations and lying to federal investigators after the assault of Haitian immigrant Abner Louima in August 1997. A federal grand jury handed down this twelve-count indictment against them in February 1998.
Indiana v. Orville Lynn Majors
Former Indiana nurse Orville Lynn Majors is charged with murdering six patients while on duty at the Vermillion County Hospital in rural southwest Indiana. A computer analysis showed patients were over 40 percent more likely to die when he was on duty from 1993 to 1995, but he says it's just because he worked so much overtime. This affidavit outlines the case against him.
Versace v. the Office of the State Attorney of Florida
The family of murdered fashion designer Gianni Versace filed the following suit December 30, 1997 to prevent the public release of his autopsy photographs. Versace was gunned down July 15, 1997 on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion allegedly by suspected spree-killer Andrew Cunanan.
Amistad Papers
In October, award-winning author Barbara Chase-Riboud filed suit in federal court in California against the Dreamworks studio, claiming that Dreamworks had lifted numerous themes and portions of her 1989 book, "Echo of Lions," for use in the studio's upcoming film, the Steven Spielberg project Amistad.
Spielberg Stalker Grand Jury Transcript
A man who police say was obsessed with director Steven Spielberg was arrested in July after he was caught driving up to the director's home several times. Prosecutors alleged in a grand jury hearing in October that Norman was sexually obsessed with Spielberg and was determined to carry out his fantasies, which involved raping the director. The following is the Oct. 8 to Oct. 9 grand jury hearing transcript.
Tawana Brawley Grand Jury Report
In November of 1987, a 15-year-old girl named Tawana Brawley was found in upstate New York, covered with feces and racial slurs written in charcoal. Brawley, who is black, claimed to have been abducted and raped by six white law enforcement officers. The case was ultimately thrown out in 1988 when a grand jury determined that her story was not credible. Here is the full text of the 1988 grand jury report that cleared Pagones and the other alleged attackers of any wrongdoing.
The Trial of Marv Albert
NBC broadcaster Marv Albert goes on trial for sodomy and assault and battery. A woman claims that Albert bit her back and forced her to perform oral sex in a Virginia hotel in February 1997. Albert claims that their sex was consensual. If convicted, Albert could face life in prison.
Afeni Shakur's Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Afeni Shakur, the mother of slain gangsta rap artist Tupac Shakur has filed a wrongful death suit against Orlando Anderson, a reputed member of the Los Angeles-based gang, the Crips. Anderson was involved in a fist-fight with Tupac Shakur and his entourage at Las Vegas's MGM Grand Hotel shortly before Shakur was gunned down in a drive-by shooting. Shakur died six days later. Although Anderson is not considered a suspect in the murder by the Las Vegas Police Department, Afeni Shakur believes he had a role in her son's death.
Results of Marv Albert DNA Test
NBC sportcaster Marv Albert's case suffered a setback when a state forensic crime lab released DNA results August 11 that linked Albert to bite marks found on the woman who has accused him of sexual assault and sodomy. The Virginia Division of Forensic Science found some consistencies between the blood sample provided by Albert and DNA recovered from the bite wounds on the woman's back. Albert's blood sample was also linked to sperm samples recovered from the alleged victim's skin and underwear. The forensic report cited a 1-in-2.6 billion chance that its findings came from someone other than Albert. The following is the report dated August 4, 1997.
Tupac Shakur's Family Sues Death Row Records
The estate of Tupac Shakur, administered by his mother, Afeni Shakur, is filing
suit against Marion "Suge" Knight, the head of Death Row Records and Shakur's mentor
and manager, Death Row Records, and David Kenner, Shakur's attorney. The estate charges
that Death Row has not met its contractual obligations to Shakur. The suit includes
allegations that Tupac was unfairly charged expenses such as child support payments
for another Death Row Records rap artist, Nate Dogg. Here is the April 19, 1997
complaint.
Dallas Cowboy Sues Police and Reporter for Alleged Rape Investigation
Erik Williams, a professional football player with the Dallas Cowboys, maintains that allegations of rape and sexual assault lodged against him December 30, 1996 were fabricated jointly by his accuser and Martin Griffin, a Dallas television news reporter. The police announced January 10, 1997 that Williams was no longer a suspect and the accuser had recanted her story. As a result, Williams is suing the city of Dallas and the Dallas police, claiming his civil rights were violated by several members of the police during their investigation of the alleged rape. He also filed suit Feb. 12, 1997 against Griffin and his TV station, claiming defamation, fraud and negligence for hiring Griffin as a news reporter.
Photographer Annie Leibovitz Sues Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures superimposed comic actor Leslie Neilsen's face over a portrait of a pregnant Demi Moore to promote the film, "Naked Gun 33 1/3." Photographer Annie Leibovitz filed suit Dec. 18, 1996 against Paramount over its use of the copyrighted photo, which she shot originally for the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. The following day a federal judge threw out the lawsuit, ruling that Parmount's ad was a parody and a fair use of the copyrighted work.
King's "I Have A Dream" Speech Suit
The estate of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is suing CBS for violation of the estate's copyright on the historic "I Have A Dream" speech. Dr. King delivered the speech to a crowd of 200,000 in August 1963, and, according to the complaint, registered three different versions of the speech with the U.S. Copyright Office. The King estate alleges that a videotape on the civil rights movement produced and distributed by CBS, which includes footage of Dr. King's speech, violates its copyright. Here is the November 19, 1996 suit.
F. Lee Bailey Sues the Government
F. Lee Bailey claims that he accepted 600,000 shares of stock worth approximately $6 million from drug dealer Claude Duboc as payment for legal fees and expenses. Bailey alleges government officials agreed to the arrangement until the value of the stock increased sharply to $16 million. Bailey was incarcerated for contempt on February 29, 1996 and was later ordered to forfeit the stock to the United States. Bailey is suing the United States for breach of contract and seeks the return of his forfeited assets and payment for his representation of Duboc. This is the suit filed on October 22, 1996.
Nicholson Palimony Suit
Actress Susan Anspach lived with Jack Nicholson and gave birth to his child while filming "Five Easy Pieces" in 1969-1970. In a suit filed on August 26 against Nicholson and his business manager, Anspach alleges that the actor reneged on verbal agreements to provide loans to cover mortgage payments on her home.
TV Talk Show Host Accused of Mistreating Female Employees
Two former employees claim TV talk show host Montel Williams created a sexually hostile environment for his female employees by using disparaging language to describe female employees and guests and by engaging in uninvited physical contact. Williams has denied the allegations.
Michael Jackson Accused of Violating Settlement
The father of the boy who accused Michael Jackson of child molestation filed this May 7, 1996 complaint, claiming that the pop star violated a 1994 out-of-court settlement by denying the molestation allegations.
"I could never harm a child or anyone. It's not in my heart. It's not who I am," Jackson said in an interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC's Prime Time Live, according to the complaint. "So what I said is I have got to get out from under this nightmare. All these lies and all of these people coming forth to get paid and all of these tabloid shows. It's lies, lies, lies, lies."
The boy's father claims that ABC, Jackson and other parties "developed, orchestrated and carried out a scheme to falsely accuse the minor [whose name we've deleted] of lying about his claims that Defendant Jackson had sexually molested and assaulted the minor."
"Natural Born Killers" on Trial
A Louisiana woman left paralyzed by a robber who shot her after watching "Natural Born Killers" claims Hollywood is partly to blame. Patsy Byers was working at the Time Saver store when 18-year-old Sarah Edmondson came in, shot her and stole money from the cash register. Edmondson later told police that she and her boyfriend Benjamin Darrus took drugs and went on a shooting spree after repeatedly watching the Oliver Stone movie. In her lawsuit, Byers' claims Stone, Warner Bros. and several other defendants knew or should have known that the movie "would cause and inspire people such as the defendants to commit crimes." The case has pitted best-selling novelist John Grisham against Stone. Grisham has urged lawsuits against the movie, claiming it glamorizes casual mayhem and bloodlust. Grisham was friends with Bill Savage, a businessman fatally shot by Edmondson and Darrus.
A Light Goes Out on Broadway
Jonathan Larson, the creator of "Rent," the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning rock opera, will never write another song because of two New York hospitals' malpractice, according to this March 11, 1996 complaint filed by Larson's estate. Larson died Jan. 25, a few hours after the final dress rehearsal for his play. Larson went to Cabrini Medical Center a few days before, complaining of stomach pain. Doctors took x-rays, told him it was something he had eaten, and pumped his stomach. Two days later, Larson went to St. Vincent's Hospital with the same complaint. Doctors took more x-rays and said he had a virus. He later died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm. His estate claims the aneurysm should have been detected in the x-rays.
Disney Reply to Katzenberg Lawsuit
The Disney Company filed this reply to the lawsuit filed by former executive Jeffrey Katzenberg. Katzenberg's lawsuit alleges breach of contract and seeks an estimated $250 million in bonus pay.
Katzenberg Sues Disney
Jeffrey Katzenberg, former chairman of Walt Disney Studios, sued Disney for breach of his employment contract. Katzenberg controlled the studios for a ten-year period during which profits rose 2500%. He is seeking 2% of profits from films and television projects produced or acquired before his September 1994 departure. Here is the April 9, 1996 complaint.
Bernhard Goetz Civil Action
This is the civil action filed against Bernhard Goetz by one of the young men he shot on a New York City subway in December 1984. The suit, filed by Darrell Cabey, seeks $50 million in damages.
Random House v. Joan Collins
The complaint and subsequent documents in the breach-of-contract lawsuit between the actress/author and her publisher.
Spam v. Muppets: The Ruling
In this federal district court decision, Judge Kimba Wood allows Miss Piggy and other Muppets to welcome Spa'am, a new character, into their puppet family. Spa'am, the wart-stubbled High Priest of the Boars, ties Kermit the Frog to a stake in the upcoming film "Muppet Treasure Island," due for release in February 1996. Hormel Foods, the makers of the luncheon meat SPAM, claims that the new muppet's unhygienic and immoral image damage the reputation of its product. Judge Woods rules in favor of Muppet creator Jim Henson Productions, which argued that Hormel should "lighten up."
The Fate of Jeffrey Dahmer's Brain
Jeffrey Dahmer, the serial killer who ate his victims, was beaten to death in prison last November. His body has been in storage and his family has been fighting over what to do with his brain. Dahmer asked for his remains to be cremated and his father wants that request fulfilled. But his mother wants his brain preserved for medical research.
The following is a transcript of the September 3, 1995 hearing to settle this dispute.
Jenny Jones: Wrongful Death Suit
The family of a man who was murdered after revealing his affection for another man on television's Jenny Jones Show is suing the producers for $25 million. In this complaint, the family of Scott Amedure, who died of two shotgun blasts, claims that the Jenny Jones Show created "the risk of harm" that caused the murder.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Warner Bros., one of the producers of the show, is a subsidiary of Time Warner, a partner in Court TV.
Digging Up an Assassin
Two descendants of John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Abraham Lincoln, petitioned to exhume what is presumed to be Booth's body. They claim that the truth is that someone else is buried in the grave and that Booth survived for decades after the assassination.
The Fashion Cafe Case
Restaurateur Tomasso Buti, who owns the Fashion Cafe in affiliation with models Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell and Elle Macpherson, filed this complaint against the corporation that owns a restaurant with the same name in Milan, Italy. The two parties are fighting over the trademark rights of the name "Fashion Cafe."
| 
