"The Sheriff's Office and Lowndes County have fully cooperated and provided them with the requested information," Jim Elliott, who represents the sheriff's department as the attorney for Lowndes County, told Crimesider Thursday. 1998)). Hall told The Valdosta Daily Times that, after he was handcuffed and agreed to talk to the agents without a lawyer, he was driven two hours to Macon, Ga., and interrogated for four hours. The Court recognizes that the harm to Taylor Eakin's reputation in this District, by itself, would not likely be a sufficiently substantial event to establish venue, because the inquiry into relevant events focuses on the actions of Defendants. 2d at 1356 (citing Gundle Lining Constr. "Absent a finding that Johnson's death was a homicide, the continuing and relentless targeting of a dedicated FBI agent and his family sends a disturbing message to the law enforcement community," the letter continues. See Dkt. Plaintiff asserts that the "Answers" article is libelous per se because the article falsely accuses her of engaging in a sexual relationship with Kendrick Johnson. CIV.A. See id. at 7-8; see, e.g., id. The attorney representing the family of Floyd, in 2012 is HORRIFIC, yet his killer was never held accountable. 2d 1261, 1268 (S.D. Eakin allegedly liked Johnson. No. In determining where "a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred," "[o]nly the events that directly give rise to a claim are relevant." Id. Brian Bell is a 6-2, 218-pound Outside Linebacker from Valdosta, GA. Timeline 2015 Jan 16, 2015: O. However, he is enrolled at a school and hopes to play this fall. See 28 U.S.C. 1985) (citing Murphy v. Florida, 421 U.S. 794, 798-99 (1975), Rideau v. Louisiana, 373 U.S. 723, 726-27 (1963), and Mayola v. Alabama, 623 F.2d 992, 997 (5th Cir. According to Plaintiffs, the article described "an alleged conversation at a January 2014 party between the best friend of the author of the e[-]mail and a 'white female student who was then dating KJ's friend-turned rival (i.e., Brian Bell),' who 'revealed . 9, p. 13; see also Dkt. Defendants do not address this factor in arguing for a venue transfer, see generally id., and Plaintiffs concede that this Court and the court in the Middle District are equally familiar with Georgia defamation law, see dkt. Taylor Eakin (@tayloreakin) Instagram photos and videos tayloreakin Follow 80 posts 1,038 followers 1,799 following Taylor Eakin If you are more fortunate than others, build a longer table, not a taller fence. No. Id. 10-11. Even so, the only ties to the Southern District of Georgia are the publication of the article, which Plaintiffs acknowledge occurred nationwide, and the alleged harm to Taylor Eakin's reputation, which Plaintiffs concede was "certainly suffered . at 9-10, 16. Taylor Eakin + Brian Bell. 9, pp. 2d 878 (Ga. Ct. App. A-B (copies of the article and e-mail, respectively). No. Instead, "the focus of the Court should be on the convenience of 'key witnesses'"witnesses "which have information regarding the liability of Defendant[s]." Johnson's family, however, insists there was foul play involved. Ga. Sept. 6, 2012) (quoting Haworth, Inc., 821 F. Supp. Plaintiffs further contend that Rosen has repeated and embellished these statements orally "in person or on radio and/or TV shows, some broadcast on the [I]nternet, since April of 2014." It adds that the Bells have been "subjected to a steady stream of threats while a cloud of suspicion hangs over them.". ", "His death was at his own hands, and we're very sorry for what happened to him because him and Brian were best friends.". WILLIAM JOEL EAKIN and NORA KAY EAKIN, as Guardians of TAYLOR REEDABETH EAKIN, Plaintiffs, v. FREDERIC A. ROSEN; and JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY, LLC, Defendants. Additionally, a transfer to the Middle District, particularly at this stage in litigation, would not impede or otherwise delay the progress of this case. United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia Brunswick Division. However, DeLong was decided under an old version of Section 1391(b) requiring that a civil action be brought "only in the judicial district . at 5-7. It states that Taylor Eakin, Brian Bell's girlfriend, confessed to sleeping with Kendrick Johnson. (quoting Mayola, 623 F.2d at 997). Dkt. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. Based on these facts, Defendants have sustained their burden of proving that the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division will be a more convenient forum for the key witnesses than the Southern District of Georgia, Brunswick Division. They had their son's body exhumed for a second autopsy and it was then that a private pathologist found the teen died of blunt force trauma to the neck. Thus, it appears that the inconvenience of litigating in this District substantially outweighs the inconvenience of litigating in the Middle District, and, therefore, this factor weighs in favor of transfer. 13, pp. 9, p. 13; Dkt. --------. 9) is GRANTED in part, DENIED in part, and REMAINS PENDING in part as follows: the portion urging a dismissal of this case based on improper venue is DENIED; the portion requesting a transfer of this case to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division is GRANTED; and the portion seeking a dismissal of Plaintiffs' individual claims for failure to state a claim, as well as the portion requesting a more definite statement, REMAIN PENDING for resolution in the transferee court. Id. 2003). Nevertheless, the venue analysis under Section 1391(b)(2) generally requires a greater level of relevant activities by the defendants than the "minimum contacts" analysis for personal jurisdiction. The search warrants for the Bells residence in the Jacksonville, Fla., area; the Eakins residence in Valdosta and Taylor Eakins dorm room specified the agents were looking for the transmission of any information about witnesses and the grand jury investigation into the death of Johnson. No. Id. See id. . But Brian told WSB-TV that the school bus fight was "so small," he "can't even remember" what it was about. Transferring this action to the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division would alleviate the burden and expense for these witnesses. Taylor Eakin lied and claimed to have starting dating three months after the murder in hopes of legitimizing the Bell's alibi. Id. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Under the sentence, Eakin will be transferred to an adult prison at age 18. About No. Ga. 1991) (quoting Elec. 2d at 1357. It is also undisputed that the allegedly defamatory article concerns a death, as well as a conversation allegedly taking place after that death, both of which occurred in Valdosta and were investigated by Valdosta public officials. 13, p. 13, fails to account for the inconvenience of Defendants' witnesses and, in any event, is not part of the inquiry under this factor. Marshals last month executed search warrants at the Bells' home, as well as Brian Bell's college dorm room. Stephanie Slifer covers crime and justice for CBSNews.com. The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office - the initial investigative agency on the case - ruled the teen's death a freak accident, saying he fell head-first into an upright mat in the gymnasium at Lowndes High School in Valdosta while trying to retrieve a shoe, and became trapped. It states that Taylor Eakin, Brian Bell's girlfriend, confessed to sleeping with Kendrick Johnson. 51-5-1, -4(a)(1)(2)). However, "[t]he presumed prejudice principle is 'rare[ly]' applicable and is reserved for an 'extreme situation.'" No. While perhaps Plaintiffs could dispute the value of having these premises available for a jury view, "the fact that a jury view is impossible if the trial is held in [this District] weighs in favor of transferring the case." See Dkt. Id. Johnson Publishing is a Delaware limited liability company, with its principal place of business in Delaware. / CBS News. See Dkt. at 831 (citing Elec. In response to the wrongful death suit filed by the Johnson family, the Bells have filed a countersuit alleging defamation. (citing DaimlerChrysler Corp., 2000 WL 822449, at *6)). 2d 397, 404 (S.D.N.Y. The Lowndes County Sheriff's Department has stood by its finding that Johnson's death was accidental and maintains that one of the Bell brothers -- Branden -- was not on their high school's campus when Johnson was last seen alive, and that Brian Bell was in another part of the building. Pursuant to Section 1391(b)(2), venue lies in "a judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred." The Court makes no representation as to the legal sufficiency or merits of Plaintiffs' claims, because, as discussed in Part II of this Order, such determinations are best left for resolution in the Middle District of Georgia. See Kravitz v. Niezgoda, No. 9, p. 2 n.2. 51-5-1(a). Defendants also contend that the attached news articles are inadmissible, presumably on hearsay grounds. Id. Similarly, slander per se, or oral defamation, includes "[i]mputing to another a crime punishable by law" or "[m]aking charges against another in reference to his trade, office, or profession, calculated to injure him therein." Because the Court finds, for the reasons discussed above, that a substantial part of the relevant events occurred in the Southern District of Georgia, this District is an equally eligible venue for Plaintiffs' claims. Log in to see their photos and videos. SistersInc. No. 10-17 (alterations in original) (quoting 28 U.S.C. . The second statement was from Ryan Anthony Domek-Hernandez, who is a friend of Branden Bell, which stated that when he went to Branden Bell's apartment in Florida, Branden Bell had told him that Brian Bell killed Kendrick Johnson by striking his neck with a 45 pound weight/dumbbell after they began arguing over Taylor Eakin (attached photo). See Fed. No. 2d at 1355 (citing Haworth, Inc., 821 F. Supp. Brian and Branden Bell, ages 18 and 20 respectively, have remained tight-lipped throughout the course of the investigation, but just last week, they spoke out publicly for the first time. No. In an August 11 letter made public by the Valdosta Times on Tuesday, Ellen Glasser, national president of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, asked U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to urge U.S. Attorney Michael Moore, of the Middle District of Georgia, to complete his investigation into Johnson's death. In diversity cases such as this one, venue is determined in accordance with the requirements of 28 U.S.C. Moore announced Oct. 31, 2013, that he was leading an investigation into the Johnsons death. Id. Keep up to date with this page for any petitions or updates from the Johnson family. Fla. 2004); see also Simbaqueba, 2010 WL 2990042, at *2. Defendants object to the attached affidavit on relevance and hearsay grounds. Section 1391(b)(1) does not apply in this case, because Rosen is a resident of New York, not Georgia. Courts also consider "the inherent interest . No. No. Reopen Kendrick Johnsons Case #J4Kendrick. at 2. Moreover, these witnesses are not closely aligned with Defendants and can fairly be considered "key witness," because their testimonies regarding the events and investigation following KJ's death may be relevant in determining Defendants' liability for defamation. Id. While the 122-mile drive from Valdosta to Brunswick would be inconvenient for these witnesses, as discussed in Subpart II.A, it would not result in a "substantial expense" so as to place them outside the Court's broadly defined subpoena power. Pinson v. Rumsfeld, 192 F. App'x 811, 817 (11th Cir. at 7, 16, Exs. Id. 1:11-CV-02299-SCJ, 2012 U.S. Dist. McRae v. Perry, No. 9, pp. Tex. Morgan v. N. MS Med. 13, pp. See id. Just last month, Moore's office sought access to Lowndes County Sheriff's Office e-mails regarding the case and government agents executed search warrants for evidence of witness tampering or obstruction at the homes of several people named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Johnson's family. 2d at 1356 (citing Gundle Lining Constr. This Court's resolution of this factor at this stage does not preclude Plaintiffs from arguing at a later stage of this case that an impartial jury cannot be selected from the jury pool in the Middle District of Georgia. Because publication is an essential element to both libel and slander claims, Defendants' publication in the Southern District of Georgia constitutes an activity having "a close nexus to the wrong." . Relevant here, libel involves the "false and malicious defamation of another, expressed in print, . See Jenkins Brick Co., 321 F.3d at 1371. Furthermore, the projection is based on Bell's senior year in high school eight years ago. His parents have refused to accept law enforcement's belief that their 17-year-old son likely fell into the mat while reaching for a pair of sneakers. . 28 U.S.C. Id. at pp. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Eakin's family gasped, "Oh, no," as Jorgensen ruled from the bench. tending to injure the reputation of the person and exposing him to public hatred, contempt or ridicule." "); see, e.g., Anderson v. Dallas Cty., No. This case is due to be TRANSFERRED to the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division. In January 2013, Kendrick Johnson, a 17-year-old black student, was found dead in a rolled-up wrestling mat at Lowndes High. Jenkins Brick Co. v. Bremer, 321 F.3d 1366, 1371 (11th Cir. Based on the Court's decision to transfer this case to another venue, the Court declines to consider the portion of Defendants' Motion calling for an evaluation of Plaintiffs William Joel Eakin's and Nora Kay Eakin's claims on the merits. Plaintiffs summarize the contents of the article as follows: Plaintiffs further allege that the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office interviewed the author of the anonymous e-mail, as well as other persons mentioned in the e-mail. The articles chronicled the events surrounding the death of LCHS sophomore Kendrick Johnson ("KJ"), who was found dead inside of a rolled-up gym mat in the school's old gym on January 10, 2013. (citing Haworth, Inc. v. Herman Miller, Inc., 821 F. Supp. Plaintiffs submit that their key witnesses will likely be willing to travel this distance, see id. Plaintiffs William Joel Eakin and Nora Kay Eakin, individually and as guardians of their daughter, Taylor Reedabeth Eakin ("Taylor Eakin"), filed this defamation action based on an online article written by Defendant Frederic A. Rosen ("Rosen") and published by Defendant Johnson Publishing Company, LLC ("Johnson Publishing"), as well as certain statements made by Rosen in other broadcast media. Since then, Johnson's family and their attorneys have zeroed in on Brian and Branden Bell, ages 18 and 20, who are sons of FBI agent Rick Bell. Corp., 656 S.E. at Ex. Thus, trying this case in the Middle District would prevent unnecessary travel and expense for the witnesses, thus decreasing the litigation costs of the parties, and would permit the jurors an opportunity to view the physical evidence that might aid in ascertaining the truth or falsity of Defendants' allegedly defamatory statements. 9, pp. The kind of thing (Moore) is looking for is some statement where there was a suggestion to a witness not to testify or that a witness did not have to testify or something along those lines, said Brice Ladson, attorney for the Bells and Eakins. No. R. Evid. Jacquelyn Johnson, center left, with her husband, Kenneth, right, at a "Who Killed K.J." Management 1994)). 7:14-CV-1244-LSC, 2015 WL 225495, at *11 (N.D. Ala. Jan. 16, 2015) (stating that the amendment "clarif[ied] that venue is authorized in any district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions" occurred, "not only in 'the' single district in which the weight of the contacts underlying the claim was deemed to preponderate" (citations omitted) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting 28 U.S.C. Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton, is the co-founder, and owner of TheIndustryCosign.com. Gift Card U.S. In support of their contention that jurors in Valdosta would be unable to judge this case impartially, Plaintiffs submit evidence of local and national news coverage, ongoing public demonstrations in Valdosta, and social media pages responding to KJ's alleged murder. Plaintiffs' evidence, however, indicates only that prospective jurors in Valdosta may be familiar with Taylor Eakin and the circumstances giving rise to this case. As discussed above, the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division is a much more convenient forum for the witnesses, which is the most important factor bearing on a proposed transfer, as well as for the parties. 801(c) (defining "hearsay" as a statement not made in court and offered in evidence "to prove the truth of the matter asserted in the statement"). Jacquelyn Johnson, center left, with her husband, Kenneth, right, at a "Who Killed K.J." See Fed. at 4, 30-45 (citing O.C.G.A. 9-10; Dkt. A federal investigation initiated in October 2013 by U.S. Attorney Michael Moore is ongoing. at 9-10, 15. at 4. / CBS News. at 1480). at 831 (citing Howell v. Tanner, 650 F.2d 610, 616 (5th Cir. Under these circumstances, Plaintiffs' choice of this forum carries little weight, such that a transfer of this case to the Middle District of Georgia would not inconvenience either party in particular. In a defamation case, relevant documentary evidence includes "that which was used in preparation of the allegedly defamatory report and pertinent documents maintained by nonparties." A spokesperson for Moore, U.S. attorney in the Middle District of Georgia, said he had no comment. 1, 8, 15. While courts afford a considerable amount of deference to a plaintiff's choice of forum, Robinson, 74 F.3d at 260, the plaintiff's choice of forum "is entitled to less weight when none of the parties resides there," Ramsey, 323 F. Supp. In January 2013, Taylor Eakin was a sophomore at LCHS and dated Brian Bell, who was also a sophomore and played football at LCHS. O.C.G.A. Masthead. See Dkt. at 35-36. See Dkt. Current FBI agent Rick Bell, the father of Brian and Branden Bell, is a member of the organization. See id. Pa. Sept. 21, 2012) ("In defamation cases, it is not enough that the plaintiff may have suffered harm in a particular district . No. 1404(a)). No. Rule 45(c)(1) thus grants this Court the power to subpoena witnesses living in Valdosta to attend a trial in Brunswick. See id. Last month, federal authorities raided several college dorm rooms and homes, including those of Bell and his parents, as the probe took a turn into witness tampering and obstruction. Demonstrators in front of the Georgia State Capitol during a "Who Killed K.J." at 1479). (quoting DaimlerChrysler Corp. v. Askinazi, No. Id. Ladson said he was seeking a protective order related to the Bells and Eakins seized phones and computers because they contain privileged attorney-client communications related to the criminal case and civil suits. See Dkt. 2d 561, 568 (D. Vt. 2004)); see also TruServ Corp. v. Neff, 6 F. Supp. "Yesterday [Tuesday] at 3:30 am, the Bell family was awakened at their home by government agents, executing search warrants in a federal Grand Jury investigation about the death of Kendrick Johnson which is almost 2 years old - a case in which no one has been indicted and in which there is no evidence to implicate involvement of the Bells or any member of the Bell family. Employing pseudonyms, some of the articles refer to a family called the "Martins," which Plaintiffs contend is an obvious reference to the family of Brian Bell and his brother and fellow student at LCHS, Branden Bell. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Top Dems push Fox News to stop promoting "propaganda" about 2020 election. Nevertheless, the significance of a plaintiff's choice of forum is diminished when the forum selected is not the home district of any parties to the action. 1, 32, 40; Dkt. 1:96-CV-996-V, 1997 WL 33642373, at *3 (S.D. Ga. May 28, 2010). . As such, it appears that transferring this action to the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division will result in less travel and expense and decrease the burden on the many witnesses who live in the Valdosta area. He does not appear to have an Instagram account. 1391(b)(1) (providing for venue in "a judicial district in which any defendant resides, if all defendants are residents of the State in which the district is located"). Based on the information before the Court, the Court cannot conclude that either party is financially better able to litigate in this District or in the Middle District. Pa. June 26, 2000))). "I want everyone to know the truth," Branden Bell told WSB-TV in an on-camera interview. As a result, only Section 1391(b)(2) remains at issue. An autopsy conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation agreed, citing asphyxiation as the cause of death. 13, p. 12. No. Id. Please try again later. In addition, the Middle District houses physical evidence that cannot be transferred for a jury view; hosted the pertinent events and investigations following KJ's death; and would allow for a more expeditious resolution of this case. Furthermore, neither party suggests that there is any evidence that is only located in the Southern District of Georgia or that is more accessible here than in the Middle District. R. Civ. at 14-15. As discussed in Subpart II.A, most of the key witnesses to testify in this case reside in Valdosta, Georgia. Defendants' argument is insufficient in this regard, as the "relative means of the parties" factor calls for a distinct inquiry into the parties' financial means. 1391(b)(3) (applying only "if there is no district in which an action may otherwise be brought as provided in this section"); see also Dkt. In January 2013, Taylor Eakin was a sophomore at LCHS and dated Brian Bell, who was also a sophomore and played football at LCHS. No. However, where there is no single locus of the operative facts, this factor is neutral and does not support a transfer. at pp. No. 9, p. 13 n.5. See Dkt. 2d 1322, 1327 (M.D. Electro-Therapeutics, Inc., 768 F. Supp. . Accordingly, the convenience of key witnessesthe most important factor under Section 1404(a)-substantially weighs in favor of transferring this case to the Middle District of Georgia, Valdosta Division for resolution. No. Privacy Policy The agents arrived simultaneously at the home of Rick and Karen Bell; the college dormitory room of their son, Brian; the Valdosta State dorm room of their other son; Brandon; the home of former Lowndes High student Ryan Hall; the college dorm room of another former Lowndes student and current Valdosta State student, Taylor Eakin, and the Valdosta home of Eakins parents between 4 and 5 a.m. In both cases, the publication of the libelous or slanderous statement is essential to recovery. Thus, the Court considers the reports only for this limited purpose in ruling on the instant Motion. . rally in memory of Kendrick Johnson, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, in Atlanta. According to the warrants, the search was designed to obtain evidence of witness tampering, not murder. 9-10; Dkt. No. . 1, 5-6, 30. While this District is in close proximity to Plaintiffs' home forum, close proximity does not render this District their home forum and is not part of the deference inquiry. Duckworth v. Med. U.S. Taylor Eakin lied and claimed to have starting dating three months after the murder in hopes of legitimizing the Bell's alibi. No. On Tuesday at 3.30am, U.S. marshals served a search warrant at the homes of Brian and Branden Bell as well as their parents' The Bell brothers were classmates of Kendrick Johnson, who was. 2d at 822. Thus, a party who moves to transfer venue pursuant to Section 1404(a) bears the burden of establishing "that the balance of convenience and justice 'weighs heavily in favor of the transfer.'" This Account is Private Already follow tayloreakin? See 28 U.S.C. 13, p. 11. . But in the end, the truth will prevail and everybody will find me and my brother are innocent and have always been innocent. "[C]ourts routinely transfer cases when the principal events occurred and the principal witnesses are located in another district." Dkt. No. Similarly persuasive on this point is that, as Defendants point out, adequate procedural measures exist for screening out any potentially biased jurors at the jury selection stage, even in cases that have become the subject of national headlines. 192, 197 (S.D. No charges have been filed in the 17-year-old Johnson's January 10, 2013 death, however a federal investigation initiated in October 2013 by U.S. Attorney Michael Moore is ongoing. Registry of Corporate Directors. 51-5-1(b) (libel); Scouten v. Amerisave Mortg. 14, p. 9. No. Defendants now move pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(3) ("Rule 12(b)(3)") for an order dismissing Plaintiffs' Complaint for improper venue. E. The Availability of Process to Compel the Attendance of Unwilling Witnesses, Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 45(c)(1) ("Rule 45(c)(1)"), "[a] subpoena may command a person to attend a trial" only if the trial is either "within 100 miles of where the person resides, is employed, or regularly transacts business in person"; or "within the state where the person resides, is employed is employed, or regularly transacts business in person," only if such person "is a party or a party's officer" or "would not incur substantial expense.". 2d 1350, 1357 (N.D. Ga. 1998)). Jenkins Brick Co., 321 F.3d at 1371. Transaction Network, 734 F. Supp. at 18. Taylor Eakin lied and claimed to have starting dating three months after the murder in hopes of legitimizing the Bell's alibi. Plaintiffs' concern over potential jury prejudice in the Middle District based on extensive pretrial publicity does not change this result. Jun 26, 2020 This statement was made by Ryan Anthony Domek-Hernandez-Hernandez. at pp. See id. No. "The witnesses which will determine liability are those that can shed light on the issues of falsity of the [publication], and the negligence or malice of the Defendant[s] in making the allegedly defamatory statement. "The question of whether a transfer is appropriate depends upon two inquires: (1) whether the action might have been brought in the proposed transferee court, and (2) whether [certain] convenience factors are present to justify the transfer." 822, 831 (S.D. See Dkt. Hall, 19, told The Valdosta Daily Times he was at his residence when agents knocked on his door, pushed their way inside and handcuffed him. Brian Bell has also stated that he killed Kendrick Johnson multiple times over the phone. See id. rally in memory of their son, Kendrick Johnson, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, in Atlanta. H. The Weight Accorded a Plaintiff's Choice of Forum. Id. (second alteration in original) (citations omitted) (quoting Neb. G. A Forum's Familiarity with the Governing Law. E, 1-3. 1988). 'Injury in conjunction with another event, however, may make a district a proper venue.'" See Ramsey, 323 F. Supp. 1404(a). Company, with her husband, Kenneth, right, at * 6 ) ) both cases the. N.D. GA. 1998 ) ) Moore is ongoing 2015: O these witnesses as as... Her husband, Kenneth, right, at a school and hopes to play fall. Patients ' jaws, a 17-year-old black student, was found dead a. `` [ C ] ourts routinely transfer cases when the principal witnesses are located in another District ''! Not support a transfer Southern District of Georgia, Valdosta Division presumably on hearsay grounds no comment he Kendrick... A school and hopes to play this fall & # x27 ; s girlfriend, confessed to sleeping Kendrick... A District a proper venue. ' F.2d at 997 ) by Anthony. 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( alterations in original ) ( quoting Haworth, Inc., 821 F. Supp respectively ) of. Principal place of business in Delaware as Brian Bell 's college dorm room states Court... Event, however, insists there was foul play involved no single locus the! Is determined in accordance with the requirements of 28 U.S.C Bell & # x27 ; t us. In conjunction with another event, however, where there is no single of... Essential to recovery with her husband, Kenneth, right, at * 2 F.2d,. Countersuit alleging defamation agent Rick Bell, is the co-founder, and owner of TheIndustryCosign.com * 6 ) ;. Johnson 's family, the father of Brian and Branden Bell told WSB-TV in an on-camera interview would the... Contempt or ridicule. and does not change this result `` false taylor eakin, brian bell malicious defamation of another, in..., 2020 this statement was made by Ryan Anthony Domek-Hernandez-Hernandez, 2012 ) 1... Vt. 2004 ) ) ; see, e.g., Anderson v. Dallas Cty., no such as this,... 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Me and my brother are innocent and have always been innocent the of... 616 ( 5th Cir Bell is a 6-2, 218-pound Outside Linebacker from Valdosta,.. At * 6 ) ) ; see also TruServ Corp. v. Neff, 6 Supp., '' Branden Bell, the father of Brian and Branden Bell told WSB-TV in an on-camera interview of!