Image Credit : Connie Burdorff / Google Maps
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
A judge ruled in favor of two Marion County residents who were sued for libel after voicing their opposition to a development project on social media.
Judge Justin Angel ruled that Joey Blevins and Ronnie Kennedy were within their rights under the Tennessee Public Participation Act to state their concerns over the River Gorge Ranch project, planned for Aetna Mountain by Chattanooga developer John “Thunder” Thornton.
The pair made negative comments about the plan, saying that the development was being built on top of old mines. Blevins made his comments on Facebook, while Kennedy voiced his concerns as an invited speaker at the Marion County Commission meeting in February.
Thornton sued, alleging that their comments had led to several potential investors backing out the project.
Blevins and Kennedy countersued, accusing Thornton of trying to keep critics quiet.
While Angel did acknowledge that surveys done by Thornton did show evidence of former mines in that location, he noted that Newton sandstone in the area made it safe for building.
He also acknowledged that Thornton was a “well-respected and renowned real estate developer and businessman” and that he did not believe Thornton had brought the lawsuit with ill intentions but was instead “protecting the value and reputation of his properties and investments.”
However, he stated that the residents were allowed to speak freely, noting also that the same claims were mentioned by the media as well.
Angel ordered Thornton to pay court costs and legal fees for Blevins and Kennedy.
One Response
Good!