Defamation Court Case is Today

Today at 2PM, in front of Judge Keith Kyle, in courtroom 5-I, the defamation lawsuit against former Fort Myers Beach Mayor Ray Murphy and former Council member Bill Veach go before the court. The judge will decide today whether to dismiss the lawsuit or allow it to go to trial. 

The lawsuit was filed by Karen Woodson and John King, who were both recalled earlier this year as a result of what Murphy and Veach, 0-chairs of the recall committee, put on the recall bnallot. A nearly 4-hour mediation was held earlier this month where it was clear both sides are miles apart. Mediation will continue after today’s court hearing.

King and Woodson filed the lawsuits alleging Veach and Murphy lied when they said they violated the Sunshine Law and accepted gifts from developers. Veach and Murphy never provided any proof in the recall, nor were they required to. The recallers made it clear to voters the recall was all about development, specifically their Seagate vote.

Murphy and Veach have asked Kyle to dismiss the case calling it an anti-SLAPP lawsuit. An anti-SLAPP law is a legal mechanism that allows defendants to quickly dismiss meritless lawsuits aimed at silencing public participation and free speech. SLAPP stands for “Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation.” Veach and Murphy argue that this lawsuit is a violation of their 1st amendment rights.  

Beach Talk Radio will be in the court room live today to cover the hearing.

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