Libel: Man can sue over BTK ID

by   |  09.09.06  |  Current Events

This is a quote from Bernie Rhodes, lawyer for the television station who reported on the arrest described in this story:

“We never said he was BTK,” Rhodes said. “But even if we had said it, we’re governed by the privilege. There is no evidence that we acted with a specific intent to cause injury. We weren’t out to get the guy. … We had no evil-minded intent.”

That bothers me, mainly because it’s not true. Intent is not an element of libel. What he should says is there’s no evidence the station acted outside what a reasonable news outlet would. They can still be out to get the guy and it’s not libel.