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NC COURT OF APPEALS AFFIRMS MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR JURY VERDICT AGAINST THE RALEIGH N&O

In a unanimous opinion filed on December 18, 2018, a three-judge Court of Appeals panel affirmed the $6.12 Million Dollar jury verdict Mr. Johnson and associate Chynna Smith won on behalf of their client, a former state firearms examiner, Beth Desmond, in her libel case against the Raleigh News & Observer and reporter Mandy Locke. The actual jury verdict was over $9 Million but was mandatorily reduced by statute. Oral arguments before the Court of Appeals were heard on September 5, 2018. Mr. Johnson argued on behalf of Ms. Desmond. The Court of Appeals opinion was written by The Honorable Judge Donna Stroud. The Honorable Judges Valerie J. Zachary and Hunter Murphy concurred in the opinion. Because it was a unanimous decision, the Defendants do not have an automatic right to appeal to the NC Supreme Court. However, the Defendants have filed a Petition for Discretionary Review with the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has not yet determined if it is going to accept the case for review.

Attorney: Jim Johnson
Date: February 11, 2019

(Cases referenced do not represent the firm’s entire record. Each case is different and should be evaluated on its own merits. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon a lawyer’s past results.)

Author Bio

Ryan Brown

J. RUSSELL W. DeMENT III
RALEIGH CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

Russell W. “Rusty” DeMent III is a trial lawyer and managing partner at DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall. A former Wake County Assistant District Attorney, he brings decades of courtroom experience to defending serious criminal charges in both state and federal courts, including DWI, violent crimes, and drug offenses.

Regularly recognized in Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite, Rusty is a Fellow of the National College for DUI Defense and the Litigation Counsel of America. His legal insight and calm command in high-stakes cases make him a trusted advocate across North Carolina.

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Reviews

My case was a particularly a hard one. Rusty and his team fought hard to receive the best judgment possible. They never told me anything I wanted to hear, actually quite the opposite. They let me know exactly what they could do for me and tried their hardest. I would recommend this law office to anyone who is looking for great counsel.

Curt H.

I HIGHLY recommend DeMent Askew to anyone seeking legal aid. Mr. DeMent helped me through a couple situations and from the first time I met with him until it was over he gave me his utmost attention and always made sure he listened. This is not a chain law firm that is just out to get your money, they really do care about the the

Kimball T.

Mr. Johnson and everyone at DeMent Askew went above and beyond in their handling of our case. They genuinely cared for the well-being of my husband and my family. I have used them for other legal matters as well, and would definitely recommend them to anyone with any type of personal injury case, no matter how serious.

Holly P.

I want to thank Mr. DeMent for helping me out with my DWI case. I was truly not very optimistic in my chances with my case, but on the day of my trial Mr. DeMent vigorously argued in my favor that the officer did not have probable cause for my arrest. I truly appreciate his efforts in saving me from a DWI conviction and

Eric J.

My case was a particularly a hard one. Rusty and his team fought hard to receive the best judgment possible. They never told me anything I wanted to hear, actually quite the opposite. They let me know exactly what they could do for me and tried their hardest. I would recommend this law office to anyone who is looking for great counsel.

Curt H.

I HIGHLY recommend DeMent Askew to anyone seeking legal aid. Mr. DeMent helped me through a couple situations and from the first time I met with him until it was over he gave me his utmost attention and always made sure he listened. This is not a chain law firm that is just out to get your money, they really do care about the the

Kimball T.

Mr. Johnson and everyone at DeMent Askew went above and beyond in their handling of our case. They genuinely cared for the well-being of my husband and my family. I have used them for other legal matters as well, and would definitely recommend them to anyone with any type of personal injury case, no matter how serious.

Holly P.

I want to thank Mr. DeMent for helping me out with my DWI case. I was truly not very optimistic in my chances with my case, but on the day of my trial Mr. DeMent vigorously argued in my favor that the officer did not have probable cause for my arrest. I truly appreciate his efforts in saving me from a DWI conviction and

Eric J.

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Raleigh, NC 27601 Get Direction
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Morehead City,
NC 28557 Get Direction
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