Translating into Español. The English version is shown until it is ready.
Three friends of Nolan Wells sue Terrell Owens for defamation
En breve
Three friends of Nolan Wells, a Black college student who went missing from a Mississippi island on the Fourth of July and was later found dead, are suing NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens for defamation. The federal lawsuit, filed Monday by the friends' fathers because the three are minors under Mississippi law, cites an Owens post on X reading “ARREST THEM IMMEDIATELY!!” that linked to a video theorizing the friends killed Wells. Lawyers for the friends said more defamation claims against content creators will follow this week.
Leer la noticia completa 2 min de lectura
Three friends of Nolan Wells, a Black college student who went missing from a Mississippi island during a Fourth of July celebration and was later found dead, are suing NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens for defamation, according to the federal lawsuit. The fathers of the three friends, who are under 21 and considered minors under Mississippi law, filed the lawsuit Monday on their behalf. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The lawsuit alleges Owens defamed the three after posting on X: “ARREST THEM IMMEDIATELY!!” Owens' post also linked to an Instagram video that theorized the three friends killed Wells and tampered with his phone, according to the lawsuit. The post was made days after a Mississippi grand jury declined to recommend charges in Wells' death. Owens has 1.2 million followers on X and had previously pledged $25,000 to a reward fund for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Wells' death. [ 2 , 3 ]
“Not only is he defaming them, he's basically saying to the mob, get your pitchforks, get your torches,” said Edward Paltzik, a defamation and media attorney representing the three friends. The Associated Press said it attempted to contact Owens through social media and SMAC Entertainment, which, according to its website, manages Owens, but did not immediately receive a response. [ 2 , 3 ]
The three were part of a group of 30 friends, including Wells, who rode to Horn Island on three boats on the Fourth of July. Wells' friends said Wells did not return to the mainland with them, choosing instead to stay behind to talk with a girl, a claim his family has disputed. His body was found two days later off the island's coast. Both state and independent autopsies have not determined Wells' cause of death, according to the reports. [ 2 , 3 ]
Lawyers for the friends said they intend to file several more defamation claims this week against content creators and have previously indicated their intent to sue the Rev. Al Sharpton and “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin for comments they made while discussing Wells' death. [ 2 , 3 ]
Por qué importa
The suit tests how far a high-profile account with 1.2 million followers can be held liable for amplifying accusations against private individuals in a case where a grand jury declined to recommend charges. It also signals a wider wave of defamation litigation over online commentary on Wells' death, with lawyers saying more claims are coming and naming Rev. Al Sharpton and “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin as earlier targets of their intent to sue.
Datos clave
- Three friends of Nolan Wells are suing NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens for defamation in federal court. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The fathers of the three friends, who are under 21 and considered minors under Mississippi law, filed the lawsuit Monday on their behalf. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The lawsuit alleges Owens defamed them by posting on X: “ARREST THEM IMMEDIATELY!!” and linking to an Instagram video theorizing the three friends killed Wells and tampered with his phone. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Owens has 1.2 million followers on X and had previously pledged $25,000 to a reward fund for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Wells' death. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The post was made days after a Mississippi grand jury declined to recommend charges in Wells' death. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Lawyers for the friends said they intend to file several more defamation claims this week against content creators. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmado por varias fuentes
- Three friends of Nolan Wells are suing Terrell Owens for defamation, with the federal lawsuit filed Monday by their fathers on their behalf. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The lawsuit centers on an Owens post on X reading “ARREST THEM IMMEDIATELY!!” that linked to an Instagram video theorizing the three friends killed Wells and tampered with his phone. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Owens has 1.2 million followers on X and had previously pledged $25,000 to a reward fund in the case. [ 2 , 3 ]
Aún sin aclarar
- How Terrell Owens responds to the lawsuit. The Associated Press said it attempted to contact Owens through social media and SMAC Entertainment, which its website says manages him, and did not immediately receive a response.
- Nolan Wells' cause of death. Both state and independent autopsies have not determined the cause, according to the reports.
- Whether defamation claims against Rev. Al Sharpton and “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin will be filed. Lawyers have previously indicated their intent to sue, but the documents describe no filing.