Judge slashes millions owed by hate groups for 2017 Charlottesville rally

[Celerity]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/01/03/charlottesville-unite-the-right-damages/

https://archive.ph/eVDcx



A federal judge has cut by millions of dollars the damages that some of the nation’s most prominent white supremacists and hate groups owe for their role in 2017’s deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville.

Judge Norman K. Moon ordered last week that the $24 million awarded in punitive damages be reduced to $350,000, the limit imposed by a 1988 Virginia law. Moon also affirmed the jury-ordered compensatory damages of more than $2 million, bringing the total awarded damages to $2.35 million — a fraction of the $26 million a jury ordered in November 2021.

The 1988 law stipulates that juries should not be told of the $350,000 limitation and that if a jury returns a verdict over that limit, the judge will reduce it, according to court records. Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, said the severe reduction could undercut the purpose of punitive damages, which are meant to rebuke a defendant’s behavior.

“The whole point is to send a message to society, to other people who might engage in similar future behavior of that sort. And in this particular moment in time, that’s really important with the rise of white supremacists,” Tobias said. “That’s what’s really at stake.”

snip

[gratuitous]

1. They're not going to pay $350,000 any more than they'd pay $24 million

Caps on punitive damages allow the most egregious offenders a free pass to do their worst. In the case of the Unite the Right dumbasses, it doesn't really matter. These fuckers have the same number of nickels as they have brain cells to rub together.

But the Virginia legislature should by all means revisit this cap. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the 1988 law was enacted at the behest of the tobacco companies.

[Solly Mack]

2. SMH

[Initech]

3. Some of those who work forces are the same that burn crosses.

[malaise]

4. WTF! n/t

[Nictuku]

5. They need to change that 1988 law

... I mean, if they want to 'send a message', then by all means, send a message. Change the Law.


MAKE LYING WRONG AGAIN I SAY!