George Floyd’s family files $250 million lawsuit against Ye, aka Kanye West: NPR

The family of George Floyd announced Tuesday that they will file a $250 million lawsuit against rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, after a podcast about Floyd Death of Dee commented. drink champion.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that George Floyd’s death was a homicide caused by Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes. But Ye — a guest on a podcast last weekend hosted by rapper NORE and DJ EFN — raised the idea that it wasn’t Chauvin that killed Floyd, but his use of fentanyl.

Family seeks damages for defamation, harassment, etc.

The lawsuit will be brought by Gianna Floyd’s mother, Roxy Washington: George Floyd’s only daughter and sole beneficiary of his estate. Washington plans to sue Ye, his business partners and colleagues for “harassment, misappropriation, defamation, and emotional distress for $250 million,” according to a statement from Washington’s lawyers.

“Kanye’s comments are an offensive attempt to demean George Floyd’s life and profit from his inhumane death,” said attorney Pat D. Dixon III. “We will hold Mr West accountable for his blatant remarks about Mr Floyd’s estate.”

The family’s lawyers also sent Ye a cease and desist letter for his opinion.

Kay Harper Williams, another lawyer in Washington, said: “The right to free speech does not include harassment, lies, misrepresentation and appropriation of George Floyd’s estate. Some words have consequences and Mr West will understand that. a little.”

Yep’s First Amendment rights will be a factor in this case, experts say

However, Roy S. Gutterman, director of the Tully Center for Freedom of Expression at Syracuse University, said the family could face an uphill legal battle with Ye over First Amendment rights. .

“First of all, there is no possibility of a defamation lawsuit here, because there will be no living plaintiffs with discredited reputations,” Gutman told NPR. “Defamation and libel require a living plaintiff, and family members or surviving family members are not eligible to sue for defamation.”

Gutman said, however, that one possible avenue for the lawsuit would be to allege intentional emotional distress — although it would be difficult to make a claim. “This requires the plaintiff to show that the statements were intentional or reckless, went beyond what is generally accepted as decency and morality, and were causally related to some feasible harm,” he said. “Such infringements are often difficult to collect, especially for media defendants.”

Proving this claim, however, is not impossible; it’s worth noting that the Sandy Hook family successfully sued Alex Jones for minor torts this time around in a recent civil trial in Connecticut.

drink champion Apologised for this episode

Ye’s plot or drink champion It was withdrawn earlier this week.

“drink champion A representative of the program told hollywood reporter. ” That being said, unfortunately, a recent interview with Kanye West contained false and hurtful information about the circumstances surrounding the murder of George Floyd. “

Host NORE called Hot 97’s Ebro this morning to talk about the episode and apologize.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I could sit there and say, ‘That’s just Kanye West, Just what he said. But when I have an audience, I have a responsibility. I’m embarrassed when I look at myself. I was like, ‘Wait a minute? You let him say that? I’m not responsible for letting go. “

A representative for Kanye West did not immediately respond to comment.