Plaintiff,
Defendants.
____ ____________________________/
JURY INSTRUCTIONS
Trial: March 7, 2016 - March 18, 2016
P resid in g Ju d g e:
P am ela A.M. C am pbell
C ircu it Ju d g e
* * *ELECTRONICALLY FILED 03/17/2016 08:22:02 AM: KEN BURKE, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, PINELLAS COUNTY***
T itle
D escription of th e C ase a n d O ath of J u r o r s Before
Voir Dire
Q ualifications In stru c tio n
In tro d u c tio n of P a rtic ip a n ts a n d T heir Roles
E x p lan atio n of th e Voir Dire P rocess
O ath of J u r o r a n d In tro d u c tio n
Overview of C laim s a n d D efenses
Legitim ate P ublic C oncern
G reater W eight of th e Evidence
E x p lan atio n of th e Trial P rocedure
N ote-Taking by J u r o r s
J u r o r Q u estio n s
D eposition T estim ony, In terro g ato ries, S tip u lated
T estim ony, S tip u latio n s, a n d A dm issions
In stru c tio n w h en F irst Item of D ocum entary,
P hotographic, or P hysical Evidence Is A dm itted
In stru c tio n w h en Evidence Is F irst P u b lish ed to
Ju ro rs
In stru c tio n R egarding V isual or D em onstrative Aids
Evidence A dm itted for a Lim ited P urpose
In stru c tio n Before R ecess
In tro d u c tio n to F inal In stru c tio n s
B u rd e n of Proof
G reater W eight of th e Evidence
F inal Overview of C laim s a n d D efenses
P u b licatio n of Private F acts
In vasion of Privacy by In tru sio n
In vasion of Privacy B ased on M isappropriation
In ten tio n al Infliction of E m otional D istress
V iolation of F lorida S ecu rity of C o m m u n icatio n s Act
Legitim ate Public C oncern
Good F aith D efense
D am ages: In tro d u c tio n
D am ages
In stru ctio n
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32
33
34
35
36
37
T itle
Liability of M ultiple T ortfeasors
M ultiple C laim s, N u m ero u s P arties, C onsolidated
C ases
P unitive D am ages - B ifurcated P rocedure
W eighing th e Evidence
B elievability of W itnesses
C oncluding In stru c tio n (Before F inal A rgum ent)
C losing In stru c tio n
INSTRUCTION # 1
DESCRIPTION OF THE CASE
W elcome. [I] [The clerk] will now a d m in iste r y o u r oath:
Do you solem nly sw ear o r affirm th a t you will a n sw e r tru th fu lly
all q u e stio n s a sk e d of y o u a s prospective ju ro rs [so help y o u God]?
Now th a t you have b een sw orn, Id like to give you a n idea
a b o u t w h a t we are h ere to do.
T his is a civil trial. A civil trial is different from a crim in al case,
w here
a d e fe n d a n t is ch arg ed
by th e
sta te
p ro se c u to r w ith
d istre ss,
and
violation
of
F lo rid as
S ecu rity
of
D efen d an ts c o n ten d th a t
2.
David H o u sto n
3.
4.
Mike Foley
5.
Je ff A n derson
6.
S h a n ti S h u n n
7.
B u b b a Clem
8.
H e a th e r Cole
9.
Nick D enton
10.
A.J. D aulerio
11.
S cott K idder
12.
13.
14.
M ichael K untz
15.
E rin Pettigrew
16.
Tom P lu n k e tt
17.
J o h n Cook
18.
R ichard Peirce
19.
J u le s W ortm an
20.
Tony B u rto n
21.
P eter H oran
22.
David Rice
23.
Kevin B latt
24.
J a m e s D onohue
25.
B rett G oldenberg
INSTRUCTION # 2
QUALIFICATIONS INSTRUCTION
M any of you have cell p h o n es, co m p u ters, a n d o th e r electronic
devices. E ven th o u g h you have n o t y et b ee n selected a s a ju ro r,
th e re are som e stric t ru le s th a t you m u s t follow a b o u t u sin g y o u r
cell p h o n es, electronic devices a n d co m p u ters. You m u s t n o t u se
an y device to se a rc h th e In te rn e t or to find o u t a n y th in g re la te d to
an y c a se s in th e c o u rth o u se .
B etw een now a n d w h en you have b een d isch arg ed from ju ry
d u ty by th e ju d g e, y o u m u s t n o t provide or receive a n y inform ation
a b o u t y o u r ju ry service to anyone, in clu d in g friends, co-w orkers,
a n d fam ily m em b ers. You m ay tell th o se w ho n eed to know w here
you are th a t y o u have b ee n called for ju ry duty. If you are picked for
a ju ry , you m ay tell people th a t you have b een picked for a ju ry a n d
how long th e case m ay tak e. However, you m u s t n o t give anyone
an y in fo rm atio n a b o u t th e case itself or th e people involved in th e
case. You m u s t also w arn people n o t to try to say a n y th in g to you or
w rite to y o u a b o u t y o u r ju ry service or th e case. T his in clu d es faceto-face, p h o n e o r c o m p u te r co m m u n icatio n s.
In th is age of electronic co m m u n icatio n , I w a n t to s tre s s th a t
you m u s t n o t u s e electronic devices or co m p u ters to ta lk a b o u t th is
case,
in clu d in g
tw eeting,
texting,
blogging,
e-m ailing,
postin g
INSTRUCTION # 3
INTRODUCTION OF PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR ROLES
Who are the p eo p le here a n d w h a t do th ey do?
J u d g e / C ourt
am
th e
Ju d g e .
You
m ay
hear
people
H arder,
K en n eth T urkel,
and
S h an e
Vogt,
re p re se n t
atto rn ey ,
David
be
se a te d
at
C ounsel: The
a tto rn e y s
on
th is
side
of th e
Mr. S ullivan,
The
p e rso n
sittin g
at
th e
sten o g rap h ic
read in g
n ew sp a p ers,
w atch in g
television
or u sin g
After ea ch
A c o n ta c t p h o n e n u m b e r will be
provided to you.
If y o u investigate,
T h at m e a n s th o se
10
ll
INSTRUCTION # 4
EXPLANATION OF THE VOIR DIRE PROCESS
Voir Dire:
The la s t th in g I w a n t to do, before we begin to select th e ju ry ,
is to explain to y o u how th e selection p ro cess w orks.
Q u e stio n s/ Challenges: T his is th e p a rt of th e case w here th e
p a rtie s a n d th e ir law yers have th e o p p o rtu n ity to get to know a little
b it a b o u t you, in o rd er to help th e m com e to th e ir own co n clu sio n s
a b o u t y o u r ability to be fair a n d im p artial, so th ey c a n decide w ho
th ey th in k sh o u ld be th e ju ro rs in th is case.
How we go a b o u t th a t is a s follows: F irst, 111 a s k som e general
q u e stio n s of you. T hen, e a c h of th e law yers will have m ore specific
q u e stio n s th a t th e y will a s k of you. After th e y have a sk e d all of th e ir
q u estio n s, I will m eet w ith th e m a n d th ey will tell m e th e ir choices
for ju ro rs . E ach side c a n a s k th a t I exclude a p e rso n from serving
on a ju ry if th ey c a n give m e a re a so n to believe th a t he or sh e
m ig h t be u n a b le to be fair a n d im p artial. T h a t is w h a t is called a
challenge for ca u se. The law yers also have a c e rta in n u m b e r of w h a t
are called p erem p to ry ch allenges, by w h ich th e y m ay exclude a
p e rso n from th e ju ry w ith o u t giving a re aso n . By th is p ro cess of
elim ination, th e rem ain in g p e rso n s are selected a s th e ju ry . It m ay
12
th is
p ro cess
are
not
in ten d ed
to
e m b a rra ss
you
or
13
14
INSTRUCTION # 5
OATH OF JUROR & INTRODUCTION
A d m in ister Oath:
will well a n d
tru ly
th is
case
betw een
th e
plaintiff a n d
m ust
b a se
your
verdict,
in clu d in g
specific
in stru c tio n s
At th a t tim e,
15
16
INSTRUCTION # 6
OVERVIEW OF CLAIMS AND DEFENSES
I will now d isc u ss ea ch of th e specific claim s a n d defenses,
a n d define som e of th e te rm s you will u s e in deciding th is case.
Plaintiff h a s a s s e rte d five claim s a g a in st D efen d an ts. E ac h of
th e se is a s e p a ra te a n d in d e p e n d e n t claim w hich y o u will decide in
th is case. T hese claim s are a s follows:
P lain tiffs first claim is for in vasion of privacy b a se d u p o n th e
p u b licatio n of p riv ate facts. T h a t claim c o n sists of th e p u b licatio n
of tru th fu l p riv ate in fo rm ation th a t a re aso n ab le p e rso n w ould find
highly offensive, a n d th a t does n o t relate to a m a tte r of legitim ate
p u b lic concern.
P lain tiffs seco n d claim is for in v asio n of privacy b a se d on
in tru s io n u p o n seclu sio n .
to
o u trag e
or c a u se
m e n ta l suffering,
sh a m e
or
u n a u th o riz e d
use
of P lain tiffs
T h at claim c o n sists of
n am e
or
lik en ess
for
17
E m otional D istress is
video,
in
th e
co n tex t
of th e
D efen d an ts c o n te n d th a t
accom panying
re p o rt
and
18
19
INSTRUCTION # 7
LEGITIMATE PUBLIC CONCERN
The issu e of legitim ate pu b lic c o n c e rn or n ew sw o rth in e ss is
a n elem en t of P lain tiffs claim for p u b licatio n of private facts, a s well
a s a F irst A m en d m en t defense ra ise d by D efen d an ts to ea ch of
P lain tiffs claim s. I will now define legitim ate public concern.
The rig h t of privacy a n d th e rig h t of freedom of th e p re ss are
b o th fu n d a m e n ta l rig h ts, w hich m u s t be b alan ced .
The rig h t to
The
in a p p ro p ria te
m ere
fact th a t
p u b licatio n
c o n ta in s
arg u ab ly
realm
of
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se n sa tio n a l prying into private lives for its own sak e, w ith w hich a
re a so n a b le m em b er of th e public, w ith d ec en t s ta n d a rd s , w ould say
th a t h e or sh e h a d no concern.
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INSTRUCTION # 8
GREATER WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE
The p a rtie s m u s t prove th e ir respective claim s a n d defenses by
th e g re ater w eight of th e evidence. G reater w eight of th e evidence
m e a n s th e m ore p ersu a siv e a n d convincing force a n d effect of th e
en tire evidence in th e case.
22
INSTRUCTION # 9
EXPLANATION OF THE TRIAL PROCEDURE
Now th a t y o u have h e a rd a n overview of th e claim s a n d
d efen ses, I w a n t to let y o u know w h a t you c a n expect a s th e trial
proceeds.
O pening Statem ents:
23
The p la in tiffs law yer will norm ally a s k a w itn ess th e q u estio n s
first. T h a t is called d irect exam ination. T h en th e defense law yer
m ay a s k th e sam e w itn ess ad d itio n al q u e stio n s a b o u t w h atev er th e
w itn ess h a s testified to. T h a t is called cro ss-ex am in atio n . C ertain
d o c u m e n ts or o th e r evidence m ay also be show n to you d u rin g
d irect or cro ss-ex am in atio n . After th e p la in tiffs w itn e sse s have
testified, th e d e fe n d a n t will have th e o p p o rtu n ity to p u t w itn esses
on th e s ta n d a n d go th ro u g h th e sam e p rocess. T hen th e p la in tiffs
law yer gets to do cro ss-ex am in atio n . The p ro cess is designed to be
fair to b o th sides.
It is im p o rta n t th a t you re m em b er th a t testim o n y com es from
w itn esses. The a tto rn e y s do n o t give testim o n y a n d th ey are n o t
th em selv es w itn esses.
O bjections: S om etim es th e a tto rn e y s will disagree a b o u t th e
ru le s for trial p ro ced u re w h en a q u e stio n is ask e d of a w itn ess.
W hen th a t h a p p e n s, one of th e law yers m ay m ak e w h a t is called a n
o b jection. The ru le s for a trial c a n be com plicated, a n d th e re are
m an y re a so n s for a tto rn e y s to object. You sh o u ld sim ply w ait for m e
to decide how to proceed. If I say th a t a n objection is s u s ta in e d ,
th a t m e a n s th e w itn ess m ay n o t a n sw e r th e q u estio n . If I say th a t
th e objection is o v erru led , th a t m e a n s th e w itn ess m ay a n sw e r th e
q u estio n .
24
25
The
a tto rn e y s
will th e n
have
th e
In structions:
After
you
have
h e a rd
th e
closing
and
th e
d ecisio n s
you
m ak e
are
u su a lly
called
ju ry
d elib era tio n s. Y our d elib eratio n s are ab so lu tely private a n d n e ith e r
I n o r an y o n e else will be w ith y o u in th e ju ry room .
V erdict W hen y o u have finished an sw erin g th e q u estio n s, you
will give th e verdict form to th e bailiff, a n d we will all re tu r n to th e
co u rtro o m w here y o u r v erdict will be read . W hen th a t is com pleted,
y o u will be released from y o u r a ssig n m e n t a s a ju ro r.
W hat are the rules?
Finally, before we begin th e trial, I w a n t to give you j u s t a b rief
ex p lan a tio n of ru le s y o u m u s t follow a s th e case proceeds.
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27
28
29
30
INSTRUCTION # 10
NOTE-TAKING BY JURORS
If you w ould like to ta k e n o tes d u rin g th e trial, you m ay do so.
O n th e o th e r h a n d , of co u rse , you are n o t re q u ired to ta k e n o tes if
you do n o t w a n t to. T h a t will be left u p to you individually.
You will be provided w ith a n ote p a d a n d a p e n for u s e if you
w ish to ta k e n o tes. Any n o tes th a t y o u ta k e will be for y o u r p erso n a l
u se . However, y o u sh o u ld n o t ta k e th e m w ith y o u from th e
co u rtro o m . D u rin g recesses, th e bailiff will ta k e p o sse ssio n of y o u r
n o tes a n d will re tu rn th e m to you w h en we reconvene. After you
have com pleted y o u r d elib eratio n s, th e bailiff will deliver y o u r n o tes
to m e. T hey will be destroyed. No one will ever re ad y o u r n o tes.
If you ta k e n o tes, do n o t get so involved in n o te-tak in g th a t
you becom e d istra c te d from th e proceedings. Y our n o tes sh o u ld be
u s e d only a s aid s to y o u r m em ory.
W h eth er or n o t you tak e n o tes, you sh o u ld rely on y o u r
m em ory of th e evidence a n d you sh o u ld n o t be u n d u ly influenced
by th e n o tes of o th e r ju ro rs . Notes are n o t en titled to an y g re ater
w eight th a n e a c h ju r o r s m em ory of th e evidence.
31
INSTRUCTION # 1 1
JUROR QUESTIONS
Q uestions fo r the court or courtroom personnel:
D u rin g th e trial, y ou m ay have a q u estio n a b o u t th ese
proceedings.
w ho will th e n h a n d it to m e.
evidence m ay be
co n sid ered by a ju ry
in
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33
INSTRUCTION # 12
DEPOSITION TESTIMONY, INTERROGATORIES, STIPULATED
TESTIMONY, STIPULATIONS, AND ADMISSIONS
D eposition or prior testim ony:
M em bers of th e ju ry , th e sw orn testim o n y of (name), given
before trial, will now be p re se n te d . You are to co n sid er a n d weigh
th is testim o n y a s y o u w ould a n y o th e r evidence in th e case.
Interrogatories:
M em bers of th e ju ry , a n sw e rs to in terro g ato ries will now be
re a d to you. In terro g ato ries are w ritten q u e stio n s th a t have b een
p re se n te d before trial by one p a rty to a n o th e r. They are an sw ered
u n d e r o ath . You are to co n sid er a n d w eigh th e se q u e stio n s a n d
a n sw e rs a s you w ould an y o th e r evidence in th e case.
S tip u la ted testim ony:
M em bers of th e ju ry , th e p a rtie s have agreed th a t if (nam e of
w itness) w ere called a s a w itn ess, [he] [she] w ould testify (read or
d escrib e th e testim ony). You are to co n sid er a n d w eigh th is
testim o n y a s y o u w ould a n y o th e r evidence in th e case.
Stipulations:
M em bers of th e ju ry , th e p a rtie s have agreed to c e rta in facts.
You m u s t a c cep t th e se facts a s tru e . (Read th e agreed facts).
A d m issions:
1.
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35
INSTRUCTION # 13
INSTRUCTION WHEN FIRST ITEM OF DOCUMENTARY,
PHOTOGRAPHIC, OR PHYSICAL EVIDENCE IS ADMITTED
The (describe item of evidence) h a s now b een received in
evidence. W itn esses m ay testify a b o u t or refer to th is or an y o th e r
item of evidence d u rin g th e re m a in d e r of th e trial. T his a n d all o th e r
item s received in evidence will be available to you for ex am in atio n
d u rin g y o u r d elib eratio n s a t th e en d of th e trial.
36
INSTRUCTION # 14
INSTRUCTION WHEN EVIDENCE IS
FIRST PUBLISHED TO JURORS
The (describe item of evidence) h a s b een received in evidence.
It is b eing sh o w n to y o u now to help you u n d e r s ta n d th e testim o n y
of th is w itn ess a n d o th e r w itn esses in th e case, a s well a s th e
evidence a s a w hole. You m ay exam ine (describe item of evidence)
briefly now. It will also be available to you for ex am in atio n d u rin g
y o u r d elib eratio n s a t th e en d of th e trial.
37
INSTRUCTION # 1 5
INSTRUCTION REGARDING VISUAL OR DEMONSTRATIVE AIDS
Generally:
T his w itn ess will be u sin g (identify d em o n strativ e or v isu al
aid(s)) to a s s is t in explaining or illu stra tin g [his] [her] testim ony.
The testim o n y of th e w itn ess is evidence; how ever, [this] [these]
(identify d em o n strativ e or v isu al aid(s)) [is] [are] n o t to be co nsidered
a s evidence in th e case u n le s s received in evidence, a n d sh o u ld n o t
be u s e d a s a s u b s titu te for evidence. O nly item s received in
evidence will be available to you for co n sid eratio n d u rin g y o u r
delib eratio n s.
Specially created
a id s
b a se d
on
[his]
[It] [They] m ay be b a se d on
w itn ess
is
evidence;
how ever,
[this]
[these]
(identify
38
39
INSTRUCTION # 16
EVIDENCE ADMITTED FOR A LIMITED PURPOSE
The (describe item of evidence) h a s now b een received into
evidence. It h a s b een ad m itted only [for th e p u rp o se of (describe
purpose)] [as to (nam e party)]. You m ay co n sid er it only [for th a t
purpose] [as it m ig h t affect (nam e party)]. You m ay n o t co n sid er
th a t evidence [for an y o th e r purpose] [as to [any o th e r party] [(name
o th e r party(s)].
40
INSTRUCTION # 17
INSTRUCTION BEFORE RECESS
We are a b o u t to ta k e [our first] [a] recess. R em em ber th a t all of
th e ru le s I have given you apply even w h en you are o u tsid e th e
co u rtro o m , s u c h a s a t recess.
R em em b er the basic rule:
Do n o t ta lk to anyone, in clu d in g
This
You c a n n o t do a n y re se a rc h a b o u t
41
INSTRUCTION # 18
INTRODUCTION TO FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
M em bers of th e J u ry , you have now h e a rd a n d received all of
th e evidence in th is case. I am now going to tell you a b o u t th e ru les
of law th a t you m u s t u s e in reach in g y o u r verdict. You will recall a t
th e beg in n in g of th e case I told you th a t if, a t th e en d of th e case I
decided th a t different law applies, I w ould tell you so.
T hese
42
INSTRUCTION # 19
BURDEN OF PROOF
The p lain tiff m u s t prove h is claim s for in vasion of privacy
b a se d o n p u b licatio n of private facts, in v asio n of privacy by
in tru s io n u p o n seclu sio n , in vasion of privacy by m isap p ro p riatio n
of th e rig h t of publicity, in te n tio n a l infliction of em otional d istre ss,
a n d violation of F lo rid as S ecu rity of C o m m u n icatio n s Act by th e
g re a te r w eight of th e evidence.
43
INSTRUCTION # 2 0
GREATER WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE
G reater w eight of th e evidence m e a n s th e m ore p ersu a siv e
a n d convincing force a n d effect of th e en tire evidence in th e case.
44
INSTRUCTION # 2 1
FINAL OVERVIEW OF CLAIMS AND DEFENSES
I will now d isc u ss e a c h of th e specific claim s a n d defenses,
a n d define som e of th e te rm s y o u will u s e in deciding th is case.
P laintiff h a s a s s e rte d five claim s a g a in st D efendants. E ac h of
th e se is a s e p a ra te a n d in d e p e n d e n t claim w h ich you will decide in
th is case. T hese claim s are a s follows:
P lain tiffs first claim is for in vasion of privacy b a se d u p o n th e
p u b licatio n of p riv ate facts. T h a t claim c o n sists of th e p u b licatio n
of tru th fu l p riv ate in fo rm atio n th a t a re aso n ab le p e rso n w ould find
highly offensive, a n d th a t does n o t re la te to a m a tte r of legitim ate
p u b lic concern.
P lain tiffs seco n d claim is for in v asio n of privacy b a se d on
in tru s io n u p o n seclu sio n .
to
o u trag e
or c a u se
m e n ta l suffering,
sh a m e
or
u n a u th o riz e d
use
of P lain tiffs
T h a t claim c o n sists of
n am e
or
lik en ess
for a
45
E m otional D istress is
video,
in
th e
co n tex t
of th e
D efen d an ts c o n ten d th a t
accom panying
re p o rt
and
46
47
INSTRUCTION # 2 2
PUBLICATION OF PRIVATE FACTS
The is s u e s for you to decide on P lain tiffs claim for in vasion of
privacy for p u b licatio n of p riv ate facts are:
(1)
W h eth er D efen d an ts
publicly
disclosed
private
facts
(3)
48
INSTRUCTION # 2 3
INVASION OF PRIVACY BY INTRUSION UPON SECLUSION
The is s u e s for y o u to decide on P lain tiffs claim for in vasion of
privacy b a se d o n in tru s io n are:
(1)
W h eth er
th e
D efen d an ts,
in
p o stin g
th e
VIDEO,
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INSTRUCTION # 2 4
INVASION OF PRIVACY BASED ON RIGHT OF PUBLICITY
The is s u e s for you to decide on P lain tiffs claim for in vasion of
privacy b a se d on com m on law rig h t of pu b licity are:
(1)
(2)
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INSTRUCTION # 2 5
ISSUES ON INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
The is s u e s for y o u to decide on P lain tiffs claim for in te n tio n a l
infliction of em o tio n al d is tre ss are:
(1)
W h eth er
th e
o u tra g e o u s
D efen d an ts
conduct
in
engaged
in
p o stin g
th e
extrem e
VIDEO
and
on
G aw ker.com ; a n d , if so,
(2)
(3)
W h eth er
P laintiff in
fact
suffered
severe
em otional
d istre ss; an d , if so
(4)
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to
p ro d u c in g
su ch
severe
em otional
d istre ss.
52
INSTRUCTION # 2 6
VIOLATION OF FLORIDA SECURITY OF COMMUNICATIONS ACT
The is s u e s for y o u to decide on P lain tiffs claim for violation of
F lo rid as S ecu rity of C o m m u n icatio n s Act are:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
d isclo su re
or
use
of
th e
oral
c o m m u n ic a tio n s.
For a co n v ersatio n to qualify a s a n oral c o m m u n ic a tio n ,
th e p lain tiff m u s t have a n a c tu a l subjective exp ectatio n of privacy,
a n d society m u s t be p re p a re d to recognize th e ex p ectatio n as
re a so n a b le u n d e r th e c irc u m sta n c e s.
A significant factor in
54
INSTRUCTION # 2 7
BURDEN OF PROOF
If th e g re ater w eight of th e evidence does n o t su p p o rt P lain tiffs
claim s, y o u r v erd ict sh o u ld be for D efen d an ts.
However, if th e g re a te r w eight of th e evidence s u p p o rts
P lain tiffs claim s, th e n y o u sh a ll co n sid er th e d efen ses ra ise d by
D efen d an ts.
However, if th e
55
INSTRUCTION # 2 8
LEGITIMATE PUBLIC CONCERN
The issu e of legitim ate p u b lic c o n c ern or n ew sw o rth in e ss is
a n elem en t of P lain tiffs claim for p u b licatio n of private facts, a s well
a s a F irst A m en d m en t defense ra ise d by D efen d an ts to e a c h of
P lain tiffs claim s. I will now define legitim ate p u b lic concern.
The rig h t of privacy a n d th e rig h t of freedom of th e p re ss are
b o th fu n d a m e n ta l rig h ts, w hich m u s t be b alan ced .
The rig h t to
The
in ap p ro p ria te
m ere
fact th a t
p u b licatio n
c o n ta in s
th e
arg u ab ly
realm
of
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se n sa tio n a l prying into private lives for its own sak e, w ith w hich a
re a so n a b le m em b er of th e public, w ith d ec en t s ta n d a rd s , w ould say
th a t h e or sh e h a d no concern.
57
INSTRUCTION # 2 9
GOOD FAITH DEFENSE
D efen d an ts have a s s e rte d a good fa ith defense w hich applies
only to P lain tiffs claim u n d e r F lo rid as S ecu rity of C om m u n icatio n s
Act. If you find th a t th e D efen d an ts relied in good faith on a good
faith d eterm in atio n
th a t th e ir c o n d u c t in disclosing th e
oral
58
INSTRUCTION # 3 0
DAMAGES: INTRODUCTION
If y o u r v erd ict is for d e fe n d a n ts, you will n o t co n sid er th e
m a tte r of d am ag es. B u t if th e g re a te r w eight of th e evidence
s u p p o rts a n y of p la in tiffs claim s, you sh o u ld d eterm in e a n d w rite
on th e v erd ict form , in d ollars, th e to tal a m o u n t of loss, injury, or
dam ag e w hich th e g re ater w eight of th e evidence show s will fairly
a n d ad e q u ately co m p en sa te p laintiff for h is loss, injury, or dam age.
59
INSTRUCTION # 3 1
DAMAGES
If you find for Plaintiff, y o u sh a ll co n sid er th e following
elem en ts of dam ag e so u g h t by Plaintiff:
1.
On
th e
claim
of th e
rig h t of
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Any aw ard
61
INSTRUCTION # 3 2
LIABILITY OF MULTIPLE TORTFEASORS
If y o u
find
th a n
one
of th e
62
INSTRUCTION # 3 3
MULTIPLE CLAIMS, NUMEROUS PARTIES,
CONSOLIDATED CASES
In y o u r d elib eratio n s, you will c o n sid er a n d decide five d istin c t
claim s.
A lthough th e se claim s
63
INSTRUCTION # 3 4
PUNITIVE DAMAGES BIFURCATED PROCEDURE
First sta g e o f bifurcated p u n itive d a m a g es procedure:
T here is a n ad d itio n al claim in th is case th a t you m u s t decide.
If you find for th e Plaintiff a n d a g a in st one of m ore D efen d an ts, you
m u s t decide w h eth er,
in
ad d itio n
to
co m p en sato ry d am ages,
G aw ker.com .
Punitive
d am ag es
are
w a rra n te d
a g a in st
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of loss,
in ju ry
or
dam age
to
plaintiff.
U n d er
th o se
65
If clear a n d
of loss,
in ju ry
or dam age
to
plaintiff.
U n d er th o se
66
in s u c h co n d u c t of A .J. D aulerio; or
(B)
67
you
have
previously
aw arded.
In
m ak in g
th is
u n re a s o n a b le financial gain;
ii.
w h e th e r th e
u n re a so n a b ly
d a n g e ro u s
n a tu re
of th e
68
m ay
in
your
d iscretio n
decline
to
assess
punitive
from
th e
p erfo rm ance
of y o u r d u ty by p reju d ice
or
69
70
INSTRUCTION # 3 5
WEIGHING THE EVIDENCE
In deciding th is case, it is y o u r d u ty a s ju ro rs [to decide th e
issu e s, a n d only th o se iss u e s, th a t I su b m it for y o u r d eterm ination]
[to a n sw e r c e rta in q u e stio n s I a s k y o u to a n sw e r on a special form ,
called a v erd ict form]. You m u s t com e to a n ag reem en t a b o u t [your
verdict] [w hat y o u r a n sw e rs will be. Y our a g reed -u p o n an sw e rs to
m y q u e stio n s are called y o u r ju iy verdict].
The evidence in th is case co n sists of th e sw orn testim o n y of
th e w itn esses, all ex h ib its received in evidence [and] all facts th a t
w ere ad m itte d or ag reed to by th e p a rtie s [, a n d an y fact of w hich
th e c o u rt h a s ta k e n ju d icial notice (explain a s necessary)].
In reach in g y o u r verdict, you m u s t th in k a b o u t a n d w eigh th e
testim o n y a n d an y d o cu m en ts, p h o to g rap h s, or o th e r m a te ria l th a t
h a s b een received in evidence. You m ay also co n sid er a n y facts th a t
w ere ad m itte d or ag reed to by th e law yers. Y our jo b is to d eterm in e
w h a t th e facts are. You m ay u s e re a so n a n d com m on se n se to re a c h
co n clu sio n s.
You
m ay
d raw
re a so n a b le
inferences
from
th e
evidence. B u t y o u sh o u ld n o t g u e ss a b o u t th in g s th a t w ere n o t
covered here. And, y o u m u s t alw ays apply th e law a s I have
ex p lained it to you.
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INSTRUCTION # 3 6
BELIEVABILITY OF WITNESSES
General considerations:
Let m e sp e a k briefly a b o u t w itn esses. In ev alu atin g th e
believability of an y w itn ess a n d th e w eight you will give th e
testim o n y of a n y w itn ess, you m ay properly co n sid er th e d em ean o r
of th e w itn ess while testifying; th e fra n k n e ss or lack of fra n k n e ss of
th e w itness; th e intelligence of th e w itness; an y in te re st th e w itn ess
m ay have in th e outcom e of th e case; th e m e a n s a n d o p p o rtu n ity
th e w itn ess h a d to know th e facts a b o u t w hich th e w itn ess testified;
th e ability of th e w itn ess to re m em b er th e m a tte rs a b o u t w hich th e
w itn ess testified; a n d th e re a so n a b le n e ss of th e testim o n y of th e
w itn ess, co n sid ered in th e light of all th e evidence in th e case a n d in
th e light of y o u r own experience a n d com m on sen se.
E xpert w itn esses:
[You have h e a rd
subjects] from
opinion testim o n y
[a person]
[persons] referred to a s
[an] expert
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73
INSTRUCTION # 3 7
CONCLUDING INSTRUCTION (BEFORE FINAL ARGUMENT)
T h a t is th e law y o u m u s t follow in deciding th is case. The
a tto rn e y s for th e p a rtie s will now p re se n t th e ir final a rg u m e n ts.
W hen th ey are th ro u g h , I will have a few final in s tru c tio n s a b o u t
y o u r delib eratio n s.
74
INSTRUCTION # 3 8
CLOSING INSTRUCTIONS
M em bers of th e ju iy , you have now h e a rd all th e evidence, m y
in s tru c tio n s on th e law th a t you m u s t apply in reach in g y o u r
v erd ict a n d th e closing a rg u m e n ts of th e atto rn ey s. You will sh o rtly
retire to th e ju ry room to decide th is case. [Before you do so, I have
a few la s t in s tru c tio n s for you.]
D u rin g d elib eratio n s, ju ro rs m u s t co m m u n icate a b o u t th e
case only w ith one a n o th e r a n d only w h en all ju ro rs are p re se n t in
th e ju ry room . You will have in th e ju ry room all of th e evidence
th a t w as received d u rin g th e trial. In reach in g y o u r decision, do n o t
do a n y re se a rc h on y o u r ow n or a s a group. Do n o t u s e d ictionaries,
th e In tern et, or an y o th e r reference m aterials. Do n o t investigate th e
case o r c o n d u c t a n y ex p erim en ts. Do n o t visit or view th e scen e of
a n y ev en t involved in th is case or look a t m a p s or p ic tu re s on th e
In tern et. If y o u h a p p e n to p a s s by th e scene, do n o t sto p or
investigate. All ju ro rs m u s t see or h e a r th e sam e evidence a t th e
sam e tim e. Do n o t read , liste n to, or w atc h a n y new s a c c o u n ts of
th is trial.
You are n o t to co m m u n icate w ith a n y p e rso n o u tsid e th e ju ry
a b o u t th is case. U ntil y o u have re ach ed a verdict, you m u s t n o t ta lk
a b o u t th is case in p e rso n or th ro u g h th e telep h o n e, w riting, or
75
as
fam ily
a c c o u n ta n t,
doctor,
or
law yer.
T hese
76
th a t
I have
said
or done,
except for m y
specific
77
case for yourself, b u t only after you have co n sid ered th e evidence
w ith th e o th e r m em b ers of th e ju ry . Feel free to ch an g e y o u r m in d if
you are convinced th a t y o u r position sh o u ld be different. You
sh o u ld all tiy to agree. B u t do n o t give u p y o u r h o n e st beliefs j u s t
b e c a u se th e o th e rs th in k differently. Keep a n open m ind so th a t you
a n d y o u r fellow ju ro rs c a n easily s h a re id eas a b o u t th e case.
[I will give you a v erd ict form w ith q u e stio n s you m u s t answ er.
I have alread y in s tru c te d you on th e law th a t you are to u s e in
an sw erin g th e se q u estio n s. You m u s t follow m y in stru c tio n s a n d
th e form carefully. You m u s t co n sid er ea ch q u estio n separately.
Please a n sw e r th e q u e stio n s in th e o rd er th ey ap p e ar. After you
a n sw e r a q u estio n , th e form tells y o u w h a t to do next. I will now
re a d th e form to you: (read form of verdict)]
[You will be given (state nu m b er) form s of verdict, w h ich I sh all
now re a d to you: (read form of verdict(s))]
[If you find for plaintiff, y o u r verdict will be in th e following
form: (read form of verdict)]
[If y o u find for (defendant(s)), y o u r verdict will be in th e
following form: (read form of verdict)]
Y our verdict[s] m u s t be u n a n im o u s, th a t is, y o u r verdict m u s t
be agreed to by ea ch of you. W hen you have [agreed on y o u r
verdict[s]] [finished filling o u t th e form[s]], y o u r fo reperson m u s t
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