New York Times Ordered to Pay $9 Million for Defaming College Basketball Player in Murder Case
The New York Times suffered one of its most costly libel rulings this week in Alabama, where an eight-member jury found the newspaper defamed 18-year-old college basketball player Kai Spears. The jury awarded Spears $9.25 million in damages, including $1.75 million for actual harm and $7.5 million in punitive damages. Due to Alabama law limiting punitive damages, a judge is expected to reduce the award to about $7 million, and the Times is considering an appeal. This marks the first time in over 50 years the Times has lost a U.S. libel suit related to its reporting.
The case stems from a January 15, 2023 shooting in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where 23-year-old Jamiah Harris was killed in a shootout. Two men, Darius Miles and Michael Davis, were charged; Davis was convicted and sentenced to life without parole, while Miles awaits trial. The Times published a story by sports reporter Billy Witz claiming Spears was in the car near the shooting, based on confidential sources who identified him from team photos. Spears and his family denied the claim, and the University of Alabama barred players from commenting. Despite denials from Spears, the university, and athletics officials, the Times stood by the article until Spears filed suit.
After nearly 11 weeks, the Times re-examined the evidence and admitted the passenger was actually Cooper Lee, a student manager, not Spears. The Times issued an editor’s note apologizing for the error. Spears testified he was elsewhere during the shooting and suffered harassment, threats, and academic pressure due to the false association. Witz apologized in court, acknowledging the mistake but maintained he acted in good faith based on his sources. The Times defended its reporter and editorial process but no disciplinary action was announced.
The ruling is notable given Alabama’s legal history with the landmark 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan case, which set high standards for public figure libel claims. Spears was considered a private individual, requiring only proof of negligence. Financially, the $7 million payout is significant but manageable for the Times, which reported $93.4 million net profit in Q2 2026. The verdict also comes amid tensions between the Times and the Israeli government over a separate defamation dispute involving columnist Nicholas Kristof.
Spears’ attorney hailed the verdict as a victory for journalism accountability, while the Times expressed disappointment. The case highlights the risks of relying on confidential sources and the impact of erroneous reporting on individuals’ lives.
