Does this constitute libel?

Clay Travis ‏@ClayTravis Dec 21
Clay Travis Retweeted ESPN

Ray Lewis, double murderer, told Odell Beckham he went too far. Really.

I'm guessing the answer is no because Travis is (or was) an attorney. He'd have to know what could fly and what couldn't. But in light of the fact that Lewis pleaded to a lesser charge and was never actually convicted -- or even tried -- on murder, isn't such a statement at least risky?

 

Yes. But it's doubtful Lewis would want to go to court to bring all this back into the open again.

 

LOL. You think Lewis will sue?

His deposition would be fun.

 

Would be almost impossible for Lewis to win a libel suit because:

1. He is a public figure

2. He would have to prove idiot Clay Travis knowingly stated false information, when village idiot Clay Travis could easily pretend he avoided all the coverage of Lewis' case other than the initial charges, and as far as he knew, Lewis was in fact guilty of double murder

3. Lewis would have to prove his reputation suffered somehow because of this claim on Twitter, which would also be virtually impossible.

 

Trump dragging Vince Foster into the political dialogue in 5, 4, 3...

 

As DD notes, it's not libel.

However, it is Clay Travis getting talked about, which is the entire point. He is the Skip Bayless of the Internet.

 

I mean it could be libel, if Lewis chose to pursue it, which he won't.

 

I doubt that very much. Lewis being a public figure creates an almost impossibly high bar.

 

It is a high bar. He would have to prove actual malice, which is hard.

Just saying, it's not a slam dunk that it's not defamation.

 

Defamation isn't libel. You're mixing words and charges now.

 

Libel is a type of defamation.

 

I'm bored, this isn't libel, have a good day.