Panama City, Florida – Fireworks were set off at the Bay County Courthouse on Thursday during the third day of high-stakes testimony by plaintiffs in a defamation lawsuit against CNN, resulting in a judge imposing fines for future personal jabs.
Young, a US Navy veteran, was slandered by CNN during the Biden administration's military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 by implying that he illegally profited from helping people leave Afghanistan on the “black market.” claims. Young believes CNN has “destroyed his reputation and business” by branding him illegally exploiting “desperate Afghans” in a Nov. 11, 2021 segment that first aired on CNN. The profiteer “Lead with Jake Tapper”
Young previously said in his deposition and testimony that he never received any money or found work in his industry after the CNN report. The matter became critical when, during cross-examination, CNN's lead attorney, David Axelrod (who is not the same as the on-air critic of the same name), pulled out documents that were unfamiliar to both the plaintiffs and the court. It became.
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14th Judicial Circuit Judge William S. Henry. (Tyler Ausburn/Gannett)
Judge William Henry removed the jury from the room and allowed the matter to be debated without the jury present. The document was a contract binding Young and a company called Helios Global. It was signed by Young and dated Dec. 8, 2021, after the CNN report aired.
Young's attorney, Vel Friedman, said Helios Global's existence came up during discovery and that “CNN has chosen not to subpoena” any documents.
“We didn't have this document, or it would have been produced, and that doesn't mean Mr. Young breached his discovery obligations,” Friedman said.
He also accused CNN of using it as a “surprise document” for “dramatic effect.”
“We shouldn't have trials by ambush in this state,” Friedman said.
“This is completely inappropriate,” he continued. “And CNN should not be allowed to use this document. CNN should have provided it to us in the first place.”
Friedman then called CNN's legal team “hopeless,” which drew laughter from the courtroom.
Mr. Axelrod stood up to say something, but Judge Henry spoke on his behalf, reprimanding both sides for “personal attacks” and insults.
“Plaintiffs' entire argument is that they were unable to get work after CNN's publication,” Axelrod countered.
Axelrod then said Young “was aware that he had signed a new contract with a government contractor a month after the CNN report.”
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Plaintiff Zachary Young accused CNN of insinuating that he made illegal profits by helping people leave Afghanistan on the “black market” during the Biden administration's 2021 military withdrawal from Afghanistan. He claims that he was defamed. (CNN/Screenshot)
“This entire case was a fraud in this court. It was a fraud on CNN,” Axelrod said, adding that Young “lied” in his deposition.
“He came up with an incredible scheme,” Axelrod said. “This lawsuit was a fraud from the beginning.”
Both sides argued back and forth until Judge Henry declared both sides guilty of “throwing mud back and forth.”
“I'm not going to make a decision based on who is the worst of each other in this case,” Judge Henry said.
Judge Henry then asked for an adjournment because he wanted to return to the floor and think things through. This resulted in significant delays as journalists and other attendees speculated that the entire trial might be annulled. Based on Axelrod's reaction to this document, most of those watching the trial believed that the document showed that Young had been paid as a consultant by Helios, which contradicted the sworn testimony. I thought there was.
Judge Henry eventually returned and ruled that the trial should proceed and the documents were allowed to be used. Judge Henry suggested that knowledge of the documents was clearly in Young's “brain” even though he did not have a physical copy to hand over during discovery. He also ruled that admitting it so late would not result in prejudice.
Judge Henry said: “I don't think something like this will happen again. I think I said it last time.”
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U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young testified under oath after the CNN report aired that he had not received any money from Helios. (Jessica Costescu)
The judge will now impose a $100 fine for each personal insult a lawyer makes against an opponent, with the fines to be donated to North Florida Legal Services.
The trial resumed after a spectacular break, and Axelrod briefly mentioned a document that seemed to be of great importance. Axelrod asked Young if he signed the document on Dec. 8, 2021, noting that it had the heading “Consultant Security Agreement,” and that the date was after CNN's show. I asked him if he had done so.
“Yes,” Young replied.
Shortly thereafter, Axelrod concluded his cross-examination.
Friedman later asked Young to resolve the document ordeal during redirection.
“Once you leave the government, you will no longer be able to hold any individual positions. [security] Clearance yourself. It has to be done through a company that has an agreement with the U.S. government. They are the ones who must sponsor the clearance. Permits are issued by the U.S. government,” Young said.
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“This is just a company that has a contract with the U.S. government, like any other defense contractor, and it holds a private permit,” Young said. “Every year you have to sign this administrative document with the person who has the permit. In this case, it's Helios. This is not a contract to do the work…it's just an administrative function.”
Young testified that although he provided seven years of bank records, Helios never made any payments to him.
“CNN knows this. There will be no transfer from Helios Global,” Young said.
After all, Mr. Young testified under oath after the CNN report aired that he had not received any money from Helios, and therefore was not lying when he said he had not made any money in his industry in the aftermath of the incident. That's what it means. CNN reports – But if conditions continue to be tough, Legal Services of North Florida could get some donations.
The trial resumes Friday and will be streamed live on Fox News Digital.
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