COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – COEUR D’A jury has awarded greater than $1.1 million to an Idaho drag performer who accused a far-right blogger of defaming him when she falsely claimed that he uncovered himself to a crowd, together with youngsters, all over a Pride tournament in June 2022.
The Kootenai County District Court jury unanimously discovered Friday that Summer Bushnell defamed Post Falls resident Eric Posey when she posted a doctored video of his efficiency with a blurred spot that she claimed coated his “fully exposed genitals,” the Coeur D’Alene Press reported.
In truth the unedited video confirmed no indecent publicity, and prosecutors declined to report fees.
“The judicial system did what needed to be done,” Posey stated after the decision.
Jurors awarded Posey $926,000 in compensatory damages for defamation. Because Posey proved that Bushnell knew her allegations have been false when she made them or that she made the accusations with reckless forget for the reality, the jury awarded $250,000 in further punitive damages.
Posey, who makes use of the level identify Mona Liza Million, carried out thrice on the Pride in the Park party dressed in a long-sleeve leotard, black shorts and tights, with a sparkly steel boa round his waist. He didn’t take away clothes.
The Pride tournament made nationwide news on the time — no longer on account of Posey’s performances, however as a result of 31 participants of a white supremacist workforce referred to as Patriot Front were arrested within sight and charged with conspiracy to rebel.
Bushnell posted a video that day of herself discussing the mass arrest in addition to photos from Posey’s efficiency.
“Why did no one arrest the man in a dress who flashed his genitalia to minors and people in the crowd?” she stated. “No one said anything about it, and there’s video. I’m going to put up a blurred video to prove it.”
The subsequent day Bushnell printed the edited model of the video, which she received from an area videographer. It garnered many hundreds of perspectives, sparking nationwide news protection and a police investigation. She prompt he had dedicated a legal and instructed other people to name police and feature him arrested.
Bushnell used to be expressionless as she moved quickly out of the court Friday.
Her legal professional, Colton Boyles, informed jurors that his shopper’s allegations have been “close to the line” however no longer defamatory. He maintained that Bushnell’s “honest belief” used to be that Posey uncovered himself, although she admitted at the witness stand that she by no means noticed the “fully exposed genitals” she described to others.
After listening to the decision, Posey burst into tears and embraced his attorneys and buddies.
“The jury’s verdict demonstrates a clear message to this community that you have to be truthful,” stated Wendy J. Olson, one in all his legal professionals.
Posey stated he has confronted dying threats and harassment, and the edited pictures become the emblem of a countrywide motion against drag. Experts have warned that false rhetoric against drag queens and LGBTQ+ other people might inflame extremists.
Posey stated he has been helped by way of make stronger from his buddies.
“Imagine being in a dark hole where you have nobody and you felt the whole world turn their back on you,” he stated in court docket Thursday. “But somehow, you were surrounded by warriors, true people of Idaho — not transplants, true people of this soil. I am fortunate to say I have people like that around me, people that lifted me up.”
The jury deliberated for roughly 3 and a part hours Friday after a five-day trial. Before returning the decision, jurors requested the court docket if they may direct Bushnell to take down her posts about Posey and publicly ask for forgiveness to him. First District Judge Ross Pittman, who presided over the trial, indicated they may no longer accomplish that.
As of Friday night time, the movies remained on Bushnell’s web site and Facebook web page, the Coeur D’Alene press reported.
Following the decision, jurors approached Posey out of doors the courthouse to shake his hand or hug him.
“I’m so sorry you went through this,” one informed him.
In a remark the North Idaho Pride Alliance, which arranged the development the place Posey carried out, expressed gratitude to the jurors and affirmed its dedication to “ensuring the safety and well-being” of North Idaho’s LGBTQ+ group.
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