Newspaper's attorney asks complainants to be more specific in reference to articles

An attorney for The Gaffney Ledger argued in a Spartanburg County courtroom on Monday the newspaper shouldn't have to make guesses in responding to a lawsuit.

Cherokee County School Board Trustee Sandra Greene and her son Joel both sued the paper and its publisher, Cody Sossamon, last June seeking unspecified damages; Sandra Greene for alleged emotional distress caused by newspaper articles about her and her family and Joel Greene for alleged libel.

Their lawsuit claims the newspaper's coverage of Sandra Greene dating back to 1996, and its coverage of Joel Greene's employment with the school district, stemmed from a vendetta against their family.

Attorney Jay Bender, who is defending the newspaper, argued in court Monday the Greenes should be required to be more specific in their complaints by identifying which newspaper articles caused their alleged distress and which articles were alleged to be false. He argued such information was needed not only to prepare a proper response, but also to assess how statutes of limitation would apply because suits must be brought within certain time frames after an event.

Lovic Brooks, who represents the Greenes, said in court Joel Greene's libel claim pertained to just one article, a column written by Sossamon. He further argued Sandra Greene's complaints against the newspaper were based on the cumulative effects of the articles the newspaper has published about her since 1996. In that light, he argued there was no need for the Greenes to identify all of the articles with which they take issue.

Bender argued it was the plaintiffs' responsibility to identify when they allegedly were injured and why.

"We shouldn't have to guess," he argued.

Circuit Judge J. Derham Cole did not issue a ruling from the bench. He told the attorneys he would review their petitions.

Attorneys will begin taking depositions June 10.

Joel Greene has a separate lawsuit against the Cherokee County School District that stemmed from the loss of his maintenance job. His lawyer, Brooks, recently filed an amended lawsuit which dropped one of the six claims made in the initial filing, that he was wrongfully terminated in violation of public policy.

The school district's attorneys asked for dismissal of the suit in a response filed May 5.