A jury in Chattooga County has found that Teresa Watson owner of Rome News by Watson did not commit libel when she allowed a posting of accusations of drug dealing by a Chattooga County couple to appear on her web site. A comment posted by Kenneth Busbin, Sr. of Summerville on Watson’s web site in 2007 accused the Ed and Brenda Hammitt of being involved with drugs. The jury of six men and six women did find that Busbin committed libel, but did not award any damages. Judge “Bo” Wood stated that Watson could have been found guilty of publishing libelous statements if the jury decided she created original content and participated in creating original content from libelous comments on her web site. The Hammitt’s attorney asked Watson if she would make a public apology to the couple, which Watson refused to do, and indicated that the allegations were true.
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