--CASE DISMISSED--September 17, 2008
United States District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma -
In September, 2007, William N. Peterson, the District Attorney in Ada, Oklahoma, filed a complaint for civil conspiracy, libel, publicity placing a person in false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The complaint was a result of the depiction of Prosecutor Peterson in the following books:
- The Innocent Man by John Grisham -- Doubleday Publishing
- Journey Toward Justice by Dennis Fritz -- Seven Locks Press
- Dreams of Ada by Robert Mayer - Broadway Books
The defendants named were:
John Grisham - Doubleday Publishing
Dennis Fritz - Seven Locks Press
Robert Mayer - Broadway Books
Barry Scheck - Random House
James C. Riordan
On September 17, 2008, Ronald A. White, United States District Judge, Eastern District of Oklahoma GRANTED the defendants motion to dismiss.
Judge White in his opinion stated:
"The conduct complained of here is not extreme and outrageous for two reasons:
(1) the statements are not defamatory because they are constitutionally and statutorily protected and;
(2) the alleged conduct is not atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized society.
Therefore it is not plausible that these statements about public officials concerning matters of public concern even comes close to extreme and outrageous conduct."
This is Great News !!
UPDATE - Oct. 2008
This story is just unbelievable. A libel lawsuit against Dennis Fritz, author of Journey Toward Justice and author, John Grisham headed to court of appeals.
Read More HERE
