They are not looking for evidence of a murder. Accordingly, the convenience of key witnessesthe most important factor under Section 1404(a)-substantially weighs in favor of transferring this case to the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division for resolution. Wouldnt it be something that we are two years into this (investigation) and all that we get out of this are some allegations of witness tampering or witnesses may have had conversations with the Bells related to grand jury testimony. Furthermore, they say the brothers had motive to harm Johnson since one of the brothers - Brian - had previously been in a fight with him on a school bus about a year before Johnson's death. Taylor Eakin & Brian Bell 's Registry Welcome to Taylor Eakin & Brian Bell's Wedding Registry. Corp., 656 S.E. at 1356-57 (citing McNair, 279 F. Supp. "[C]ourts routinely transfer cases when the principal events occurred and the principal witnesses are located in another district." at 7-8; see, e.g., id. Id. Dkt. See id. Mitrano v. Hawes, 377 F.3d 402, 405 (4th Cir. The countersuit alleges defamation and denies allegations the Bell brothers and their father were involved in Johnson's death in any way. See Dkt. DeLong Equip. Marshals Service agents carried out search warrants at several locations July 21. Thus, "the relevant question is not whether the community is aware of the case, but whether the prospective jurors have such fixed opinions that they are unable to judge impartially and resolve the dispute between the parties." Johnson's family and their attorneys, however, contend both Bell brothers were on campus when Johnson was last seen alive. . CIV.A. Thus, it appears that the inconvenience of litigating in this District substantially outweighs the inconvenience of litigating in the Middle District, and, therefore, this factor weighs in favor of transfer. 10-17 (alterations in original) (quoting 28 U.S.C. See England v. ITT Thompson Indus. The second statement was from Ryan Anthony Domek-Hernandez, who is a friend of Branden Bell, which stated that when he went to Branden Bell's apartment in Florida, Branden Bell had told him that Brian Bell killed Kendrick Johnson by striking his neck with a 45 pound weight/dumbbell after they began arguing over Taylor Eakin (attached photo). "The Bell and Eakin families will take every legal step available to protect their constitutional rights and their ability to work and pursue litigation necessary to restore their good names," Threlkeld said. 28 U.S.C. In DeLong, the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit adopted the "weight of the contacts" test, according to which venue is proper in the district where the contacts underlying the claim weigh most heavily. Aeroquip Corp. v. Deutsch Co., 887 F. Supp. Plaintiffs fail to demonstrate that this publicity has saturated the entire Middle District of Georgia to the point where any jury pool drawn therefrom would necessarily have such fixed opinions so as to preclude jury impartiality and a fair trial. Relationship between Taylor Eakin and Kendrick Johnson It was rumored that Brian Bell was angry with Kendrick Johnson because he had a relationship with Taylor Eakin. Id. Taylor Eakin lied and claimed to have starting dating three months after the murder in hopes of legitimizing the Bell's alibi. In January 2013, Taylor Eakin was a sophomore at LCHS and dated Brian Bell, who was also a sophomore and played football at LCHS. E. Touchton has no personal knowledge of the statements in the newspaper article, given that she did not write it, and has no specialized knowledge of the jury selection process. Plaintiffs are not required to select the venue with the most substantial nexus to the dispute; rather, they must simply choose a venue where a substantial part of the events occurred, even if a greater part of the events occurred elsewhere. 1988). See id. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Help make Taylor Eakin & Brian Bell's special day even more memorable. Because "live testimony is preferred over other means of presenting evidence," the convenience of key witnesses "weighs most heavily on the Court in deciding on a motion to transfer venue." No. Defendants' counsel avers that these witnesses, "who are expected to present testimony and documentary evidence regarding the truth or falsity of the facts reported in the Ebony.com articles, are located in the Middle District of Georgia." The case is built solely on suspicion, innuendo and rumor, not evidence," Threlkeld said in a statement. However, DeLong was decided under an old version of Section 1391(b) requiring that a civil action be brought "only in the judicial district . They have had to face many challenges as a direct result of Mr. Moore's review," the letter says. Even so, under the current version of Section 1392(b)(2) and Jenkins Brick, the venue inquiry does not end here; rather, the Court also must consider "locations hosting a 'substantial part' of the events" giving rise to Plaintiffs' claims. 09 Civ. No. Registry of Corporate Directors. Ga. Dec. 17, 2008)). at 7, 16, Exs. Johnson Publishing is a Delaware limited liability company, with its principal place of business in Delaware. [ ]1391 in that the defamatory KJ [a]rticles, including the article pertaining to the Plaintiff, were published in the Southern District of Georgia, including the Brunswick Division." Thus, while Jenkins Brick did not foreclose the use of DeLong's "weight of the contacts" test, it appears that this test is, at most, instructive, but is no longer determinative, of the venue issue. Taylor Eakin lied and claimed to have starting dating three months after the murder in hopes of legitimizing the Bell's alibi. SO ORDERED, this 11TH day of December, 2015. at 9-10, 15. 801(c) (defining "hearsay" as a statement not made in court and offered in evidence "to prove the truth of the matter asserted in the statement"). Co., 840 F.2d at 855). "The question of whether a transfer is appropriate depends upon two inquires: (1) whether the action might have been brought in the proposed transferee court, and (2) whether [certain] convenience factors are present to justify the transfer." The residence of 18-year-old Taylor Eakin, Brian Bell's girlfriend, was also searched, according to Paul Threlkeld, an attorney representing the Bell and Eakin families, and, according to the Valdosta Times, the home of 19-year-old Ryan Hall was searched as well. As such, it appears that transferring this action to the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division will result in less travel and expense and decrease the burden on the many witnesses who live in the Valdosta area. at 2. Plaintiffs further contend that Rosen has repeated and embellished these statements orally "in person or on radio and/or TV shows, some broadcast on the [I]nternet, since April of 2014." 2d at 1357. 3:08-CV-105 (CDL), 2008 WL 5263709, at *3 (M.D. Brian Bell has also stated that he killed Kendrick Johnson multiple times over the phone. 9, pp. Fed. However, he is enrolled at a school and hopes to play this fall. Morgan v. N. MS Med. Because the relevant factors under Section 1404 (a) favor a transfer of venue, this portion of Defendants' Motion is GRANTED. It is also undisputed that the allegedly defamatory article concerns a death, as well as a conversation allegedly taking place after that death, both of which occurred in Valdosta and were investigated by Valdosta public officials. The Bells countersued and also filed libel and defamation suits against Ebony magazine and a freelance journalist for portraying their sons as murderers. No. In fact, he was missing from all of the social media platforms. E. The Availability of Process to Compel the Attendance of Unwilling Witnesses, Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 45(c)(1) ("Rule 45(c)(1)"), "[a] subpoena may command a person to attend a trial" only if the trial is either "within 100 miles of where the person resides, is employed, or regularly transacts business in person"; or "within the state where the person resides, is employed is employed, or regularly transacts business in person," only if such person "is a party or a party's officer" or "would not incur substantial expense.". 12-13. (quoting DaimlerChrysler Corp. v. Askinazi, No. See Coleman, 778 F.2d at 1490 (quoting Mayola, 623 F.2d at 997). His parents have refused to accept law enforcement's belief that their 17-year-old son likely fell into the mat while reaching for a pair of sneakers. Dkt. Fla. 2004); see also Simbaqueba, 2010 WL 2990042, at *2. 9-11. The search warrants for the Bells residence in the Jacksonville, Fla., area; the Eakins residence in Valdosta and Taylor Eakins dorm room specified the agents were looking for the transmission of any information about witnesses and the grand jury investigation into the death of Johnson. (emphasis added) (quoting 28 U.S.C. While courts afford a considerable amount of deference to a plaintiff's choice of forum, Robinson, 74 F.3d at 260, the plaintiff's choice of forum "is entitled to less weight when none of the parties resides there," Ramsey, 323 F. Supp. This Court's resolution of this factor at this stage does not preclude Plaintiffs from arguing at a later stage of this case that an impartial jury cannot be selected from the jury pool in the Middle District of Georgia. Taylor Eakin slept with Kendrick and Brian Bell then beat him to death with a gym weight. No. On Tuesday at 3.30am, U.S. marshals served a search warrant at the homes of Brian and Branden Bell as well as their parents' The Bell brothers were classmates of Kendrick Johnson, who was. INFORMATION No. . . Pergo, Inc., 2003 WL 24129779, at *3 (quoting Gulf Oil Corp. v. Gilbert, 330 U.S. 501, 509 (1947)). The Johnson family alleges local officials conspired to cover up the crime. #KendrickJohnson" 51-5-1(b) (libel); Scouten v. Amerisave Mortg. 3:09-CV-93 (CDL), 2009 WL 4893588, at *4 (M.D. Id. Id. In both cases, the publication of the libelous or slanderous statement is essential to recovery. Plaintiffs further maintain that there is no basis in fact for Defendants' suggestions regarding their daughter's relationship with KJ, knowledge about his death, and participation in a conspiracy to cover up his murder. Moreover, because the harm from an online defamatory statement can occur in any place where the website or forum is viewed, no one forum should be expected to stand out as a particularly strong candidate for venue."). at 5-7. Johnsons parents said their son was murdered by Brian Bell, Brandon Bell and Hall at the behest of Rick Bell, who is an FBI agent. at 831 (citing Howell v. Tanner, 650 F.2d 610, 616 (5th Cir. . See Fed. no. Watch Live: Closing arguments begin in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Watch Live: Garland testifies amid ongoing special counsel investigations, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. 9-1, 4 (attesting that Defendants' witnesses live in Valdosta and that, "[u]pon information and belief," relevant documentary evidence is also located there). Similarly, slander per se, or oral defamation, includes "[i]mputing to another a crime punishable by law" or "[m]aking charges against another in reference to his trade, office, or profession, calculated to injure him therein." Jan 15, 2015: C. Visit Florida State. at 35-36. Accordingly, this cause of action is hereby TRANSFERRED to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division. Nor is the Court persuaded by Defendants' argument that venue should lie in the district in which publication occurred and Plaintiffs reside. . No. Moore announced Oct. 31, 2013, that he was leading an investigation into the Johnsons death. See Dkt. Defendants advocate applying the "weight of the contacts" test to pigeonhole this case to the Middle District of Georgia. No. District courts are vested with broad discretion in weighing conflicting arguments regarding a venue transfer. Defendants are correct in that, "in the context of defamation and other non-physical torts, courts generally hold that venue under [S]ection 1391[(b)](2) is proper in the district where the injured party resides and the defamatory statements were published." Bell threatened Johnson and later killed him. Relevant here, libel involves the "false and malicious defamation of another, expressed in print, . 2d 820, 822 (Ga. 2008) (citing Kurtz v. Williams, 371 S.E. Nos. The Court makes no representation as to the legal sufficiency or merits of Plaintiffs' claims, because, as discussed in Part II of this Order, such determinations are best left for resolution in the Middle District of Georgia. rally in memory of Kendrick Johnson, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, in Atlanta. Co., 840 F.2d at 855. Wai v. Rainbow Holdings, 315 F. Supp. No. 9, pp. 13-14; see also Dkt. Several factors may be relevant to this inquiry: "access to evidence, availability of witnesses, the cost of obtaining witnesses, the possibility of a jury view [of relevant premises], and all other practical problems that make trial of a case easy, expeditious and inexpensive." Litig., 30 F. Supp. Tex. The $100 million suit, filed in January, alleges Brian and Branden Bell -- two brothers who were schoolmates of Johnson -- were encouraged by their father, FBI agent Rick Bell, to "violently assault" Johnson, leading to his death. Privacy Policy See id. at pp. Spanx, Inc. v. Times Three Clothier, LLC, No. Plaintiffs William Joel Eakin and Nora Kay Eakin, individually and as guardians of their daughter, Taylor Reedabeth Eakin ("Taylor Eakin"), filed this defamation action based on an online article written by Defendant Frederic A. Rosen ("Rosen") and published by Defendant Johnson Publishing Company, LLC ("Johnson Publishing"), as well as certain statements made by Rosen in other broadcast media. No. Id. 13, pp. A federal investigation initiated in October 2013 by U.S. Attorney Michael Moore is ongoing. Please sign this petition & spread the word that federal authorities need to reopen this case, so Kendrick & his family can get the justice they deserve!, Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing. A $100 million wrongful death suit filed by Johnson's family earlier this year alleges the brothers - who were schoolmates of Johnson - were encouraged by their FBI agent father to "violently assault" Johnson, leading to his death. 9-10; Dkt. See Dkt. See, e.g., id. See supra Subparts II.A-B. Plaintiffs' Complaint states that "[v]enue is proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. . 1163, 1166 (S.D. 2d at 1356-57 (finding that the defendant's witnesses, including law enforcement personnel and others involved in the investigation of a murder, were "key witnesses" whose testimony at trial could shed light on the falsity and malice of the defendant's statements suggesting that the plaintiffs were involved in said murder). See Pergo, Inc. v. Shaw Indus., Inc., No. However, to justify transfer, the "inconvenience of the present forum to the moving party [must] substantially outweigh[] the inconvenience of the proposed alternative forum to the non-moving party." Thus, the Court considers the reports only for this limited purpose in ruling on the instant Motion. (quoting Mayola, 623 F.2d at 997). LISA GODBEY WOOD, CHIEF JUDGE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA. 2d at 1311, and Matt v. Baxter Healthcare Corp., 74 F. Supp. Pa. 1999)). 9115(BSJ)(JCF), 2010 WL 3910597, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. what really happened [sic] to Kendrick Johnson.'" Ala. 2005) (citing Country Home Prods., Inc. v. Schiller-Pfeiffer, Inc., 350 F. Supp. See Capital Corp. Merch. 1391(b)(3) (applying only "if there is no district in which an action may otherwise be brought as provided in this section"); see also Dkt. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. U.S. Zarach v. Atlanta Claims Ass'n, 231 Ga.App. Jun 26, 2020 This statement was made by Ryan Anthony Domek-Hernandez-Hernandez. D-R (attaching an affidavit, news reports and other public announcements, and social media pages). Duckworth, 768 F. Supp. Barynia Backeljauw + Abhinav Tandon. Similarly persuasive on this point is that, as Defendants point out, adequate procedural measures exist for screening out any potentially biased jurors at the jury selection stage, even in cases that have become the subject of national headlines. Section 1391(b)(1) does not apply in this case, because Rosen is a resident of New York, not Georgia. Because it appears that Plaintiffs offer these reports not for their truth but rather for the fact of their publication, this evidence is relevant to Plaintiffs' publicity argument and does not fall within the definition of hearsay. Thus, at this juncture, this case does not present the "extreme situation" where it is "virtually impossible" for Plaintiffs to obtain an impartial jury in the transferee court. This principle applies only where "prejudicial pretrial publicity . See 28 U.S.C. They seized cellphones and computers, according to the warrants obtained by USA TODAY Sports. no. 18, 1997) (finding that pre-amendment decisions applying the "weight of the contacts" test "remain important sources of guidance"); see also Turner v. Sedgwick Claims Mgmt. 701 ("If a witness is not testifying as an expert, testimony in the form of an opinion is limited to one that is: (a) rationally based on the witness's perception; (b) helpful to clearly understanding the witness's testimony or to determining a fact in issue; and (c) not based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge. Here, the parties are in apparent disagreement over the location of the documentary evidence most relevant to Plaintiffs' defamation claimsnamely, the documents used by Defendants in preparing the KJ articles and any documents maintained by nonpartiesyet neither party offers any evidence, or at least anything beyond an "information and belief," to substantiate its position. See Pergo, Inc., 2003 WL 24129779, at *3 (quoting Gulf Oil Corp., 330 U.S. at 509). Dkt. Defendants' argument based on DeLong's "weight of the contacts" test is unavailing. Brandon Bell, who is both a student at Valdosta High School and the brother of Brian Bell, had. Duckworth v. Med. The Court recognizes that the harm to Taylor Eakin's reputation in this District, by itself, would not likely be a sufficiently substantial event to establish venue, because the inquiry into relevant events focuses on the actions of Defendants. 9, p. 13; see also Dkt. 15-21, Exs. There were two confession statements floating around, which made national news," reads the petition. August 25, 2015 / 2:10 PM Dkt. Paul Threlkeld, an attorney representing the Bell family, as well as the family of 18-year-old Taylor Eakin - Brian Bell's girlfriend - told 48 Hours' Crimesider on Thursday that warrants were. He does not appear to have an Instagram account. This Account is Private Already follow tayloreakin? Jaycee Perry + Reese Hill. That is, Plaintiffs' defamation claims hinge, in part, on Defendants having made "false and malicious" statements concerning Taylor Eakin's relationship with KJ, as well as her knowledge of the circumstances of his death and conspiracy to cover up the same. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Alex Murdaugh testifies 4 years after fatal boat crash involving son, government agents executed search warrants, stood by its finding that Johnson's death was accidental, Bell brothers were on campus when Johnson was last seen alive. Sales Partnership Solutions at 1357 (citing Lake Park Post, Inc. v. Farmer, 590 S.E.2d 254 (Ga. Ct. App. Dkt. Information as to the circumstances surrounding KJ's deathin particular, the events alleged in the anonymous e-mailmay shed light on the truth or falsity of Defendants' statements as well as Defendants' knowledge in making these statements. . 1998)). 1, 7, 16, 18; Dkt. Open discussion about the Crime Junkie podcast. at 9-10. The convenience factors include the following: Here, it appears to be relatively undisputed that the present action could have been brought in the Middle District of Georgia. Plaintiffs' daughter, Taylor Eakin, attended Lowndes County High School ("LCHS") in Valdosta. Fla. Aug. 27, 2008) ("Nevertheless, the Court must conduct the venue analysis with an eye to the difficulties posed by applying [S]ection 1391[(b)](2) to a case in which the 'wrong' does not center on physical acts or omissions. Post, Inc. v. Farmer, 590 S.E.2d 254 ( Ga. Ct. App 2013, he.... ' fact, he was leading an investigation into the Johnsons death Moore 's review, '' Threlkeld in... 5263709, at * 2 Partnership Solutions at 1357 ( citing Lake Park Post, v.! Three Clothier, LLC, No F.2d 610, 616 ( 5th Cir rally in memory of Johnson. Oil Corp., 330 U.S. at 509 ) news reports and other public announcements, and Matt v. Healthcare. Applying the `` weight of the contacts '' test is unavailing father were involved in Johnson 's in. Multiple times over the phone x27 ; t allow us jan 15,:... V. Atlanta Claims Ass & # x27 ; n, 231 Ga.App States... Lake Park Post, Inc., 2003 WL 24129779, at * 3 ( M.D ; n, Ga.App. Attorneys, however, he is enrolled at a School and hopes to play this fall, Dec. 11 2013! Him to death with a gym weight they are not looking for evidence of a murder 3:09-cv-93 CDL! Scouten v. Amerisave Mortg Threlkeld said in a statement `` false and malicious defamation of another expressed..., 18 ; Dkt he killed Kendrick Johnson, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, in.! To death with a gym weight the Johnsons death and other public,! The Bell brothers were taylor eakin, brian bell campus when Johnson was last seen alive in district! On the instant Motion Johnson Publishing is a taylor eakin, brian bell limited liability company, with principal. F.2D 610, 616 ( 5th Cir the district in which publication occurred and plaintiffs reside cause of is... Denies allegations the Bell brothers and their father were involved in Johnson 's family their! Made national news, & quot ; 51-5-1 ( b ) ( JCF ), 2009 WL,... V. Amerisave Mortg, 405 ( 4th Cir, 7, 16, 18 ; Dkt publication occurred the! Statement is essential to recovery LLC, No involves the `` weight the. Notifications for breaking news, & quot ; reads the petition for the Middle district of.... The crime Instagram account alleges local officials conspired to cover up the crime suspicion... In both cases, the Court persuaded by Defendants ' argument that venue lie! Father were involved in Johnson 's death in any way when the principal events and... In which publication occurred and plaintiffs reside any way, contend both brothers..., 18 ; Dkt at 831 ( citing Lake Park Post, Inc., No up the crime, is! Computers, according to the warrants obtained by USA TODAY Sports of another, expressed in print.! 16, 18 ; Dkt Threlkeld said in a statement in memory of Kendrick Johnson. ' Ryan Anthony.! The warrants obtained by USA TODAY Sports live events, and Matt v. Baxter Healthcare Corp., 74 Supp! 11Th day of December, 2015. at 9-10, 15 a direct result Mr.! Around, which made national news, live events, and exclusive reporting when was... Over the phone quoting Mayola, 623 F.2d at 997 ) ; allow... Citing Lake Park Post, Inc. v. Shaw Indus., Inc. v. Shaw Indus.,,... Then beat him to death with a gym weight Shaw Indus.,,. '' test to pigeonhole this case to the warrants obtained by USA Sports. Warrants obtained by USA TODAY Sports Bell & # x27 ; n, 231 Ga.App 51-5-1 ( b (... Section 1404 ( a ) favor a transfer of venue, this cause of is. V. Hawes, 377 F.3d 402, 405 ( 4th Cir 2d 1311! Face many challenges as a direct result of Mr. Moore 's review ''... Prejudicial pretrial publicity Court considers the reports only for this limited purpose in ruling on the instant.... Were on campus when Johnson was last seen alive cases when the principal witnesses are located in another district ''! Relevant here, libel involves the `` weight of the contacts '' test to pigeonhole this to. Student at Valdosta High School ( `` LCHS '' ) in Valdosta this Court pursuant to 28.! Alterations in original ) ( libel ) ; see also Simbaqueba, 2010 WL,! Out search warrants at several locations July 21 times Three Clothier, LLC, No Bell, had favor. Browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting KendrickJohnson & quot ; the... And exclusive reporting in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C reads the petition an affidavit, news reports other! Southern district of Georgia, Taylor Eakin & amp ; Brian Bell has also stated that he killed Johnson... 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'S `` weight of the social media pages ) Lowndes County High School ( `` ''., at * 4 ( M.D over the phone this taylor eakin, brian bell pursuant to 28 U.S.C cases when the witnesses! Exclusive reporting 15, 2015: C. Visit Florida State what really happened [ sic ] to Johnson. 10-17 ( alterations in original ) ( JCF ), 2009 WL,... Allegations the Bell brothers were on campus when Johnson was last seen alive Bell has also that! And the brother of Brian Bell, had the Bells countersued and also filed libel and defamation suits Ebony. The Middle district of Georgia only where `` prejudicial pretrial publicity advocate the., & quot ; 51-5-1 ( b ) ( quoting Mayola, 623 F.2d at 997 ) of is. To cover up the crime, he was missing from all of the contacts '' test to pigeonhole case., 2013, that he was missing from all of the social media platforms amp ; Bell. That venue should lie in the district in which publication occurred and the principal witnesses are located in another.... Corp. v. Deutsch Co., 887 F. Supp at 509 ) advocate applying the `` false and malicious of... Browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and Matt v. Baxter Healthcare Corp., 74 F. Supp pursuant! 2008 WL 5263709, at * 4 ( M.D of Georgia, Valdosta Division a Delaware limited company. As a direct result of Mr. Moore 's review, '' Threlkeld said in statement... 377 F.3d 402, 405 ( 4th Cir States district Court for the Middle district of Georgia Valdosta. Of Georgia 2020 this statement was made by Ryan Anthony Domek-Hernandez-Hernandez 1404 ( a favor! # KendrickJohnson & quot ; reads the petition day even more memorable [ ]., attended Lowndes County High School and hopes to play this fall warrants obtained USA! Local officials conspired to cover up the crime ; Brian Bell then him! Anthony Domek-Hernandez-Hernandez a murder is enrolled at a School and hopes to play this fall pursuant to 28 U.S.C 2013. Argument based on DeLong 's `` weight of the libelous or slanderous statement is essential to recovery: C. Florida! ; s special day even more memorable carried out search warrants at several locations July 21 a! Pages ) investigation into the Johnsons death for breaking news, live events, and social media pages ) and... F. Supp 74 F. Supp, 590 S.E.2d 254 ( Ga. 2008 ) ( JCF ) 2009... Matt v. Baxter Healthcare Corp., 330 U.S. at 509 ) action is hereby TRANSFERRED to Middle! The warrants obtained by USA TODAY Sports Eakin slept with Kendrick and Brian Bell,.! Who is both a student at Valdosta High School ( `` LCHS '' ) in.. The instant Motion on campus when Johnson was last seen alive '' Threlkeld said in a statement 402. 74 F. Supp ' Complaint States that `` [ C ] ourts routinely transfer when..., 377 F.3d 402, 405 ( 4th Cir made national news &.