Earlier this week the United States Supreme Court gave the family of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle some justice that they have long since deserved.
The court refused to reinstate a $1.8 million verdict won by former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura in his defamation lawsuit against the estate of Chris Kyle.
At issue was a claim made in Kyle’s autobiography in which the “American Sniper” claimed he punched Ventura at a bar in California after the Minnesota Governor made offensive remarks about Navy SEALs.
Ventura claimed that Kyle made up the incident and subsequently damaged his reputation. The governor initially won $1.8 million in damages from a jury, but his verdict was eventually overturned.
Jesse Ventura loses appeal to reinstate $1.8 million award in defamation case against ‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle and his estate pic.twitter.com/7UxWASxTpT
— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 10, 2017
From Fox News:
In 2014, a Minnesota court awarded Ventura $1.3 million for unjust enrichment and $500,000 for defamation, but that was overturned after the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found there was no precedent under Minnesota law for the award.
The Supreme Court declined to hear Ventura’s appeal, leaving intact the circuit court’s decision.
Ventura vowed to continue fighting, and the case could return to Minnesota for a new trial.
Kyle, whose autobiography “American Sniper” was the basis for the 2014 film of the same name, was shot dead at a Texas gun range in 2013 by fellow military veteran who was suffering from PTSD and mental illness.
Kyle’s family has been through enough since his death, and it is good to see the Supreme Court delivering them some much needed justice against Jesse Ventura and his vicious lawsuit.
Kyle is an American hero, and his widow should not be forced to pay millions to a millionaire.
Are you happy to hear that Ventura’s lawsuit against Chris Kyle’s family has been rebuked? Share your thoughts below!