Dive Brief:
- A jury has found two California students and their parents liable in a defamation case after the children said their teacher was a "perv" and "creeper" who inappropriately touched children.
- Former Catholic school teacher John Fischler was awarded $362,653 in compensatory damages.
- A second phase of the trial may award Fischler more money in punitive damages.
Dive Insight:
Attorneys for the girls argued that any verdict against their clients could have a chilling effect on reporting abuse. But the jury evidently was not swayed. Part of the problem would seem to be the demeanor of one of the girls at trial. As the article states: "She giggled often while testifying, and twice got off the witness stand, stood in front of the jury box and demonstrated a dance move and chant a school cheer. The jurors sat grim-faced without smiling."
