Jury convenes for CNN defamation trial after several candidates express disdain for network: ‘Not a fan of CNN’

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Legal teams representing CNN and the U.S. Navy veteran suing the network for defamation completed jury selection in Bay County, Florida, on Monday.

Six women and two men were selected. There will be six jurors and two alternates when opening arguments kick off Tuesday in the high-stakes trial. US Navy veteran Zachary Young claims CNN defamed him by implying he illegally profited from helping people fleeing Afghanistan on the ‘black market’ during the Biden administration’s military withdrawal from the country in 2021.

Young believes CNN “destroyed his reputation and his business” by calling him an “illegal profiteer” who exploited “desperate Afghans” during a November 11, 2021 segment that first aired on “The Lead with Jake Tapper » from CNN. Judge William S. Henry of the 14th Judicial Circuit Court, who is presiding over the trial, ruled that Young “did not act illegally or criminally” despite what the network reported on air. Judge Henry also suggested that CNN’s possible on-air apology was insufficient.

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Potential jurors were fed their thoughts on the media, veterans, punitive damages, whether they own stock in CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, what they do for a living and an assortment of other questions. The lengthy process began when the first potential juror said, “I don’t like the media, especially CNN,” when asked if he could be fair. Another immediately responded “not a CNN fan” when asked the same question.

A prospective juror said CNN was too “liberal” for his tastes, with one suggesting the media believes it can say anything about anyone and “pretend to be the victim” when They’re being challenged, and another said he could be impartial, but added: “Nothing negative against CNN…I just don’t see it their way.”

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A potential juror caused a burst of laughter in the courtroom when he bluntly explained why he wouldn’t make a good juror.

“It’s killing me sitting here…I’m hyperactive, I smoke and I have to pee,” he said.

At one point, potential jurors were asked if they would feel comfortable awarding someone more than $100 million in punitive damages. No one objected, as long as “the evidence supports it.”

At least six potential jurors raised their hands when Young’s attorney, Vel Freedman, asked them if they thought CNN was creating “fake news.” This question came after a potential juror specifically called CNN by the nickname “fake news.”

None of the potential jurors who disparaged CNN were selected to serve on the jury. The “hyperactive” man was also not selected.

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While CNN’s ratings problems have been well documented and the network has hit very low viewership levels recently, those in the courtroom seemed a little surprised when just one of the most of 40 potential jurors said he watches CNN regularly. Only two of the candidates knew who CNN anchor Jake Tapper was, and neither admitted to being a regular viewer of his program.

Adam Levine, CNN’s senior vice president of news and executive editorial director, was on hand to represent the network. No other CNN staff were seen.

The trial resumes Tuesday morning and Young is expected to take the stand early in the process. The trial will be broadcast live.

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