Last summer, former Gov. Jesse Ventura outraged plenty when he announced he was continuing his lawsuit against slain Navy SEAL Chris Kyle by asking that Kyle’s widow, Taya, be substituted as the defendant in his defamation suit against Kyle. The case continued with Taya as the defendant and is expected to go to a jury today following closing arguments.
WCCO-TV political reporter Patrick Kessler reports that Taya, in her first public comments, has said it’s “brutal” being away from her children to attend the trial.
In first public comments, American Sniper widow Taya Kyle: "Brutal" to be away fr her two small children for Jesse Ventura defamation trial.
— Patrick Kessler (@PatKessler) July 22, 2014
Taya Kyle, wife of American Sniper Chris Kyle, not worried abt outcome of Jesse Ventura defamation trial: "The truth is the truth."
— Patrick Kessler (@PatKessler) July 22, 2014
Closing arguments went something like this.
American Sniper defense asks jury to reject Ventura defamation claims: "Ventura's entire life is a performance. Even his name is made up."
— Patrick Kessler (@PatKessler) July 22, 2014
American Sniper lawyer tells jury book did not damage Jesse Ventura's career: "Ventura is in denial. All stars fade."
— Patrick Kessler (@PatKessler) July 22, 2014
Closing argument: Ventura atty discredits American Sniper witnesses w diff versions of fight story: "Starts to look like collaboration."
— Patrick Kessler (@PatKessler) July 22, 2014
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Jesse Ventura lawyers ask for up to $15 million in damages in "American Sniper" defamation case.
— Patrick Kessler (@PatKessler) July 22, 2014
Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, the most prolific sniper in U.S. military history, was shot and killed at a charity event at a Texas shooting lodge on Feb. 2, 2013. Thousands attended a memorial service at Cowboy Stadium.
Ventura told CNN’s Piers Morgan that he was pressing ahead with the lawsuit to clear his name for a potential 2016 run for president.
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