Verdict⁣ Details: Defamation, Emotional Distress, and Deepfake Promotion

On December 1, 2023, a jury ⁣in Miami found Milagro “Gramz” Cooper liable on three counts related to‍ her online conduct concerning Megan Thee Stallion and the​ 2020 shooting involving‌ Tory ⁣Lanez. The charges were defamation, intentional ​infliction of emotional distress, and promotion of⁣ an ‍altered sexual depiction – referring to a deepfake video. Legal reporter Meghann Cuniff first reported the verdict on Twitter.

The ​jury persistent‍ that cooper qualified as a member of the media, a key point of⁢ contention during the trial. ⁢Cuniff also reported that the ​jury provided “mixed answers to the media questions” before reaching their conclusions.

The total damages awarded‌ to Megan Thee Stallion were $75,000, including punitive ⁢damages. Cuniff detailed the breakdown of the damages.

Trial Recap: Closing Arguments and Jury Deliberations

Closing arguments in the case took place ⁣on ‍Wednesday,November 26,2023. Cooper’s attorney, ⁢Jeremy McLymont, argued⁢ that⁢ Cooper’s‍ online ⁤persona was a product of her upbringing, framing it as a performance rather than malicious intent. ⁤ Law & Crime provided live coverage of the trial.

Megan Thee Stallion’s ⁤lawyer, John O’sullivan, ‌emphasized Tory Lanez’s conviction ⁣for shooting Megan Thee‌ Stallion, linking Cooper’s actions to supporting Lanez’s narrative ​and further harming his client. Both ‌sides rested their cases on November 26th, handing the decision over to ​the jury.

Prior to reaching a verdict, the jury submitted multiple questions⁢ regarding specific exhibits ⁢presented during the trial, indicating careful‌ consideration of the evidence.

Background: The Shooting‌ and⁢ Subsequent Online Fallout

The lawsuit⁤ stems from ‌the July 12, 2020, shooting in Los Angeles,​ where Megan Thee Stallion‌ was injured.‍ Tory​ Lanez was later ⁣ convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in December 2022.

Following ‌the shooting, Cooper, through her online platform, allegedly spread false and defamatory statements about Megan Thee Stallion, including promoting a deepfake video and coordinating with Lanez. These ⁤actions⁣ formed the basis of the defamation lawsuit.

The⁤ case ⁢underscores the challenges of combating online misinformation ⁤and the potential for‌ notable emotional and reputational harm​ caused by defamatory content.

Legal implications and the Definition of “Media”

A crucial aspect of the case revolved around whether ⁣Cooper qualified as a member of the “media.” The jury’s‍ affirmative answer on this point has broader ​implications for online content⁢ creators ‍and‌ the⁣ legal standards applied to their