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2019-10-10 -Signs, Portents, and the Weather-

Oberlin College to appeal Gibson's verdict

More on this story from yesterday.

[CHRONICLET] Attorneys for Oberlin College filed notice in Lorain County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday that they are appealing the verdict handed down by a Lorain County jury earlier this year in a defamation case brought by Gibson's Bakery and the Gibson family.

Oberlin College's board of trustees voted to appeal the multimillion jury verdict, which currently stands at $31.5 million in favor of the Gibsons. The appeal will be heard by the Ninth District Court of Appeals in Akron.

In an official statement, the college cited its obligation to protect the First Amendment right to free speech and what it said were serious errors made by the jury and at trial. Judge John Miraldi, who presided over the six-week trial, previously ruled against Oberlin College's motions for summary judgment and a new trial.

The college said that to pay the Gibsons damages for libel, intentional infliction of emotional distress and interference with business relationships would damage free speech on college campuses.

"Left standing, the verdict could also set a troubling precedent for those institutions, like Oberlin, that are committed to respecting free speech," the statement from the college read.

Chris Canavan, chairman of the Oberlin College board of trustees, was quoted in the release saying the decision to appeal is "grounded in the board’s fiduciary responsibility to the College’s long-term financial health."

"We also have a mission to support free inquiry, allow faculty and students to ask difficult questions and to reach and express their own conclusions," he said. "The judgment in this case effectively punishes us for doing just that."

Posted by Fred 2019-10-10 00:00|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [381 views ] Top

#1 LegalInsurrection.com (especially William Jacobson's posts) is the go-to site on this and most other legal matters. Commentary on other issues as well.

Posted by Lex 2019-10-10 00:24|| 2019-10-10 00:24|| Front Page Top

#2 Chris Canavan is a Soros grifter.

Posted by Lex 2019-10-10 00:25|| 2019-10-10 00:25|| Front Page Top

#3 Ninth District Court of Appeals

Ahhhhh

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2019-10-10 04:37|| 2019-10-10 04:37|| Front Page Top

#4 NOT our precious Ninth ~~Circuit~~ Circus

Hopefully more sane

Posted by Frank G 2019-10-10 07:01|| 2019-10-10 07:01|| Front Page Top

#5 The 9th circuit has been getting new judges, so I expect they’re becoming more mainstream than they’ve been.

Posted by trailing wife 2019-10-10 09:42|| 2019-10-10 09:42|| Front Page Top

#6 Ninth District Court of Appeals =/= the west coast Ninth Circuit.
Oberlin's in Ohio. Different Circuit.

Posted by Lex 2019-10-10 09:43|| 2019-10-10 09:43|| Front Page Top

#7 Gibsons' attorneys should counter with "OK, double or nothing..."

Posted by M. Murcek 2019-10-10 09:48|| 2019-10-10 09:48|| Front Page Top

#8 NinthDistrict Court of Appeals in Akron

Posted by Lex 2019-10-10 10:26|| 2019-10-10 10:26|| Front Page Top

#9 What's the incentive to settle this case? It is a continuing payday for the lawyers and Oberlin has a chance of getting a better result. However, tuition goes up.

Posted by JohnQC 2019-10-10 10:52|| 2019-10-10 10:52|| Front Page Top

#10 I really hope Oberlin gets the slapdown of their lives. Bankrupt the fucking place.

Posted by DarthVader 2019-10-10 11:02|| 2019-10-10 11:02|| Front Page Top

#11 It's become a 'fight for principles' now. An honest, taxpayer's business must have no right to defend itself against delinquent wards of woke academics and institutions. The working class citizen has to be shown his place in the new social hierarchy envisioned for America.

Posted by Dron66046 2019-10-10 11:36|| 2019-10-10 11:36|| Front Page Top

#12 Oberlin is hoping to delay the payout so the eldest Gibson will die before the payment is due.

Posted by lord garth 2019-10-10 13:08|| 2019-10-10 13:08|| Front Page Top

#13 ^Nope. Oberlin simply cannot believe that this is for real.

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2019-10-10 13:15|| 2019-10-10 13:15|| Front Page Top

#14 Oberlin, one of the most left-wing schools in the country. Always known for attracting loons.

Posted by JohnQC 2019-10-10 15:23|| 2019-10-10 15:23|| Front Page Top

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