NYT loses defamation suit in Alabama
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
An Alabama jury awarded Kai Spears $9.25 million, finding The New York Times defamed him in a 2023 article. This marks the Times' first U.S. defamation loss in over 50.
Background
In January 2023, a shooting in Tuscaloosa killed 23-year-old Jamea Harris. The New York Times published an article incorrectly reporting that University of Alabama basketball player Kai Spears was at the scene. Spears sued for defamation and invasion of privacy in May 2023, claiming the error caused emotional distress and wrongly linked him to a murder. The trial lasted nine days, and the jury found the Times liable.
How it unfolded
- Jan 15, 2023A shooting in Tuscaloosa killed 23-year-old Jamea Harris; three Alabama basketball players were present.
- May 2023Kai Spears sued The New York Times for defamation and invasion of privacy over the inaccurate article.
- Aug 20, 2026An eight-person jury in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama awarded Spears $9.25 million in damages after a nine-day trial.
Who’s saying what
- Plaintiff's attorney
- Matt Glover said he was pleased and believes 'this verdict will improve journalism throughout the country.'
- Times spokesperson
- Charlie Stadtlander said the Times is reviewing its legal options after the loss.
- Spears' family
- Christian Spears said the Times 'defended its inaccurate article and continued to distort facts rather than acknowledge the harm they caused.'
Still unverified
The exact amount of damages after Alabama's statutory cap adjustment is not confirmed; reports indicate it may be reduced by over $2 million.