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Boalt Hosts Mock Trial for Recent Defamation Case
Boalt Hall and the School of Journalism will host a mock trial of an unresolved newspaper libel case on Friday, April 4. The case, Thomas v. Los Angeles Times, is a defamation complaint filed by Michel Thomas--founder of the Michel Thomas Language Centers. The suit is in response to an April 2001 Times profile, which Thomas claims implies that he fabricated or exaggerated many of his accomplishments during World War II. Among the claims the article called into question were Thomas’s presence at the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp, his service with the U.S. Counter Intelligence Corps, and his discovery of a store of Nazi Party membership cards. Thomas sued the Times for defamation in Federal District Court. The complaint was dismissed and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that decision.
Thomas’s attorney, Anthony Glassman ’65 will present his evidence in the mock trail. The L.A. Times side will be represented by John Bartko ’65, who is not affiliated with the Times or the case. Judge Michael Ballachey ’63 of the Alameda County Superior Court will preside. Following the mock trial, Boalt Professor Stephen Barnett and School of Journalism Lecturer William Turner will offer commentary on the issues involved in the case. The mock trial will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in 105 Boalt. MCLE credit will be available. For more information, please contact Erin Campbell at 510-643-8010 or ecampbell@law.berkeley.edu.
(4/1/03)
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