SLAPP Happy Dog-Shooter

From Howard Bashman’s How Appealing blog today:

Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal yesterday issued a ruling in a case described as “SLAPP Happy Dog-Shooter“: The “Siouxsie Law” blog had this post about the case back in March 2010.

And in July 2011, “Siouxsie Law” had a related post titled “Court rules in favor of blogger — Comins v. VanVoorhis.”

Yesterday, an intermediate state appellate court located in Daytona Beach, Florida issued a decision affirming the entry of judgment in favor of the blogger. Thanks much to a reader who forwarded a copy of yesterday’s ruling in an email stating: “F.Y.I., Florida’s 5th DCA opined that a blog was a type of media defendant for the purposes of Florida’s defamation laws.”

Posted at 09:45 AM by Howard Bashman

Y’all really should read at least that first Siouxsie post, from 2010, to learn who (what) Comins is.

When you’re done, you might also want to read this editorial in today’s New York Times.  And, yes, I think they’re related.  I bet you will, too.

For all of you who are unfamiliar with the term “SLAPP suit,” Wikipedia explains:

A strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) is a lawsuit that is intended to censor, intimidate, and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition.

Ahhh, yes. SLAPP suits.  Courtesy of some of  the very same people who complain about frivolous lawsuits.