[ql06] TORT: Ont. judge sues Q107 host Derringer for $3M
- From: "Ken Campbell -- LAW'06" <2kc16@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <ql06@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2003 12:08:16 -0400
Judge sues radio host for $3M
BETSY POWELL
STAFF REPORTER
Sep. 25, 2003. 01:00 AM
An Ontario judge is seeking $3 million in damages from Q107 morning show
host John Derringer, the radio station and owner for falsely accusing
him of being a "disgrace" to the justice system and society over the
sentencing of a man who pleaded guilty to possession and distributing
child pornography.
The lawsuit by Justice Richard Schneider, of the Ontario Court of
Justice, is a rare case involving a judge and the media.
"It's a very serious libel," said lawyer Julian Porter, who is
representing Schneider. "It's improper for a judge to be attacked in
this sort of way. Derringer's talk ... was a libellous, untrue rant."
In their statement of defence, the defendants say Derringer's remarks
were meant "without actual malice and without gross negligence" and were
part of a daily segment called Tool of the Day, featuring his comments
on people "ranging from royalty to public officials to parliamentary
dignitaries." Derringer could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The statement of claim includes a transcript of comments by Derringer on
May 29, the day after Schneider sentenced Yong Jun Kim to a conditional
sentence of nine months house arrest and 200 hours community service.
The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing child
pornography.
"Richard Schneider you are a disgrace ... and as much as I would like to
see it, I can't bring myself to hope that one day it is your kid who is
doing what was performed on the videos in Yong Jun Kim's possession,"
reads the document quoting Derringer.
Also named in the suit is Corus Entertainment Inc., which owns an
interest in Q107 Radio.
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