Most Celebrity Verdict: Actress Rebel Wilson Wins Record-breaking Defamation Suit
Actress Rebel Wilson was awarded $3.67 million (American dollars) in what her lawyer claims is the largest defamation payout in Australian legal history, according to an article from Entertainment Weekly.
Wilson sued Bauer Media Australia after its publications ran stories calling Wilson a “serial liar” who “fabricated almost every aspect of her life.” An Australian court determined the false claims were made in order to increase the publications’ profile. Wilson claimed the false accusations cost her starring roles in films. She plans to donate the damages to charities and the Australian film industry.
Most Controversial Verdict: Ex-St. Louis Police Officer Acquitted Sans Jury
Ex-St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley was acquitted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith, according to an article from the Riverfront Times.
Stockley was said to have shot and killed Smith in his car. St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Timothy Wilson issued a lengthy 30-page verdict addressing the evidence of the case and the difficulty deciding on a verdict knowing the city would face disrupting protests after it was rendered. Stockley testified he believed Smith was reaching for a weapon--an assertion the judge ultimately found credible.
Most Murderous Verdict: Ex-prison Guard Gets 30 Years for Kicking Inmate to Death
Brian Coll, a former guard at New York's Rikers Island jail, was given 30 years for kicking a restrained inmate to death, according to the Miami Herald.
Coll was said to have beaten inmate Ronald Spear to death while he was pinned by other guards. He was also convicted of falsifying records, obstruction justice and conspiracy. The presiding judge said Coll kept a framed newspaper article and picture to commemorate the incident and called the attack “vicious” and “callous.” Other prison officials called out for Coll to stop his assault and one attempted to block the kicks. Critics have called for reforms at the prison and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called for the complex to be replaced amid reports of poor conditions and supervision at the facility.
Most Innocent Verdict: Man Exonerated on 1st Degree Murder Charge 13 Years Later
Lamar Johnson was exonerated after being found guilty of first degree murder in 2004 after new evidence and witnesses surfaced, according toWBAL News.
A number of appeals were filed after his 2006 sentencing and the case was eventually closed two years later. Last year, defense asked for a post-conviction DNA test and a Writ of Actual Innocence hearing prompted the court to set aside the first degree murder charge. Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby issued an apology to Johnson and his family and pledged to ensure fair and equitable treatment for “victims, witnesses, accusers, and the accused.”
Most Misleading Verdict: Drug Company to Pay $40M for Misbranding Cholesterol Med
Aegerion Pharmaceuticals will pay $40 million to settle civil and criminal charges related to the marketing of its high-cholesterol drug Juxtapid, according to the Boston Business Journal.
It will also plead guilty to two misbranding violations. Prosecutors said Aegerion representatives marketed the drug for treatment of high-cholesterol generally, when, in fact, it was approved to treat a rare genetic disorder. The company was also accused of failing to give sufficient information to providers about safely prescribing the drug.