Freedom of the press is important…..I don’t have much to say this week about some local topic as I’ve been embroiled in a libel suit over at the courthouse in Richmond since last Tuesday.
I am being sued by the son of the chief deputy of Fort Bend County, who claims the newspaper defamed him by what I didn’t print as much as what I did print.
What is really going on is that I have written far more about the father, who is running for sheriff of our county, and he is trying to shoehorn his anger about what I have written about him into this suit filed by his son.
The son is suing about one article which in actuality is about what the father did as a result of the son’s MIP (minor in possession) back in 2002.
The “Star” is being represented by the cream of First Amendment lawyers in the form of Jackson Walker. This is the same firm that represented Oprah when she was sued by the Amarillo cattlemen. Our attorneys are John Edwards, and Amanda Bush, who are experts in the First Amendment.
The suit is high drama when it isn’t dry tedium. It is being played out in the 240th District Court, presided over by Judge Thomas Culver in the county’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” courtroom located in the historic building topped by a statue of Lady Justice holding the scale of justice. This might be the last civil jury trial in this court.
The drama is free and open to the public and I would like to see a lot of people there who really even give a darn because freedom of the press is so important. Over the years, the “Star” has shown no reluctance to take on difficult local questions. If newspapers like us are silenced, our local “good old boy” system will be able to operate unchecked.
Dress comfortably, bring your friends, and join us as we defend our right to print the truth.