Filing # 39120497 E-Filed 03/17/2016 08:22:02 AM

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA
TERRY GENE BOLLEA p ro fessio n a lly
kn ow n a s HULK HOGAN,

Plaintiff,

C ase No. 1 2 0 1 2 4 4 7 C I-0 1 1

vs.
GAWKER MEDIA, LLC aka GAWKER
MEDIA;
NICK
DENTON;
A .J.
DAULERIO,

Defendants.

____ ____________________________/

JURY INSTRUCTIONS
Trial: March 7, 2016 - March 18, 2016

P resid in g Ju d g e:
P am ela A.M. C am pbell
C ircu it Ju d g e

* * *ELECTRONICALLY FILED 03/17/2016 08:22:02 AM: KEN BURKE, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, PINELLAS COUNTY***

INDEX OF JURY INSTRUCTIONS

In stru ctio n
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T itle
D escription of th e C ase a n d O ath of J u r o r s Before
Voir Dire
Q ualifications In stru c tio n
In tro d u c tio n of P a rtic ip a n ts a n d T heir Roles
E x p lan atio n of th e Voir Dire P rocess
O ath of J u r o r a n d In tro d u c tio n
Overview of C laim s a n d D efenses
Legitim ate P ublic C oncern
G reater W eight of th e Evidence
E x p lan atio n of th e Trial P rocedure
N ote-Taking by J u r o r s
J u r o r Q u estio n s
D eposition T estim ony, In terro g ato ries, S tip u lated
T estim ony, S tip u latio n s, a n d A dm issions
In stru c tio n w h en F irst Item of D ocum entary,
P hotographic, or P hysical Evidence Is A dm itted
In stru c tio n w h en Evidence Is F irst P u b lish ed to
Ju ro rs
In stru c tio n R egarding V isual or D em onstrative Aids
Evidence A dm itted for a Lim ited P urpose
In stru c tio n Before R ecess
In tro d u c tio n to F inal In stru c tio n s
B u rd e n of Proof
G reater W eight of th e Evidence
F inal Overview of C laim s a n d D efenses
P u b licatio n of Private F acts
In vasion of Privacy by In tru sio n
In vasion of Privacy B ased on M isappropriation
In ten tio n al Infliction of E m otional D istress
V iolation of F lorida S ecu rity of C o m m u n icatio n s Act
Legitim ate Public C oncern
Good F aith D efense
D am ages: In tro d u c tio n
D am ages

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T itle
Liability of M ultiple T ortfeasors
M ultiple C laim s, N u m ero u s P arties, C onsolidated
C ases
P unitive D am ages - B ifurcated P rocedure
W eighing th e Evidence
B elievability of W itnesses
C oncluding In stru c tio n (Before F inal A rgum ent)
C losing In stru c tio n

INSTRUCTION # 1
DESCRIPTION OF THE CASE
W elcome. [I] [The clerk] will now a d m in iste r y o u r oath:
Do you solem nly sw ear o r affirm th a t you will a n sw e r tru th fu lly
all q u e stio n s a sk e d of y o u a s prospective ju ro rs [so help y o u God]?
Now th a t you have b een sw orn, Id like to give you a n idea
a b o u t w h a t we are h ere to do.
T his is a civil trial. A civil trial is different from a crim in al case,
w here

a d e fe n d a n t is ch arg ed

by th e

sta te

p ro se c u to r w ith

com m itting a crim e. The su b je c t of a civil tria l is a d isag reem en t

b etw een people or co m p an ies, w here th e claim s of one or m ore of
th e se p a rtie s have b een b ro u g h t to c o u rt to be resolved. It is called
a trial of a law su it.
Plaintiff, T erry Bollea, professionally know n a s H ulk H ogan,
alleges in th is case th a t th e d efen d an ts, G aw ker M edia, LLC, Nick
D en to n a n d A .J. D aulerio, p o sted on th e ir w ebsite G aw ker.com , a n d
refu sed to rem ove for six m o n th s, a secretly reco rd ed video th a t
in clu d ed u n c e n so re d im ages a n d au d io or Mr. B ollea n a k e d a n d
engaged in c o n s e n su a l sex u a l activity in a private bedroom .
Mr. B ollea alleges th a t th is video w as secretly reco rd ed w ith o u t h is
know ledge o r c o n se n t, a n d th a t h e did n o t give h is c o n se n t to
d e fe n d a n ts to p o st th e c o n te n ts of th e secretly recorded video on

th e ir w ebsite. Mr. B ollea alleges th a t over 7 m illion people accessed

th e video on th e In te rn e t after it w as posted.
Mr. B ollea a s s e rts claim s a g a in st d e fe n d a n ts for in vasion of
privacy, violation of h is rig h t of publicity, in te n tio n a l infliction of
em otional

d istre ss,

and

violation

of

F lo rid as

S ecu rity

of

C o m m u n icatio n s Act. Mr. B ollea seek s co m p en sato ry d am ag es a n d

p u n itiv e dam ag es.
D efen d an ts d en y Mr. B olleas claim s.

They also c o n ten d th a t

th e ir p o st w as p ro tected by th e F irst A m en d m en t b e c a u se it related

to m a tte rs of legitim ate p u b lic concern.

D efen d an ts c o n ten d th a t

th ey p u b lish e d th e ex cerp ts from th e video a n d accom panying au d io

from th o se ex cerp ts w ith a good faith belief th a t th e p o stin g w as
law ful a n d p ro tected by th e F irst A m endm ent. They fu rth e r claim
th a t th e ir p u b licatio n w as n o t m ad e for a com m ercial or adv ertisin g
p u rp o se.

And, D efen d an ts m a in ta in th a t Mr. Bollea did n o t

experience em otional d istre ss b e c a u se of th e ir co n d u c t a n d th a t he

is n o t en titled to m o n etary dam ages.
As y o u m ay recall from y o u r J u r y Q u estio n n aire, th e p rin cip al
w itn e sse s w ho will or m ay testify in th is case are:
1.

T erry G ene Bollea

2.

David H o u sto n

3.

E lizab eth R o sen th al T rau b

4.

Mike Foley

5.

Je ff A n derson

6.

S h a n ti S h u n n

7.

B u b b a Clem

8.

H e a th e r Cole

9.

Nick D enton

10.

A.J. D aulerio

11.

S cott K idder

12.

E m m a C arm ich ael

13.

A ndrew G o ren stein

14.

M ichael K untz

15.

E rin Pettigrew

16.

Tom P lu n k e tt

17.

J o h n Cook

18.

R ichard Peirce

19.

J u le s W ortm an

20.

Tony B u rto n

21.

P eter H oran

22.

David Rice

23.

Kevin B latt

24.

J a m e s D onohue

25.

B rett G oldenberg

INSTRUCTION # 2
QUALIFICATIONS INSTRUCTION
M any of you have cell p h o n es, co m p u ters, a n d o th e r electronic
devices. E ven th o u g h you have n o t y et b ee n selected a s a ju ro r,
th e re are som e stric t ru le s th a t you m u s t follow a b o u t u sin g y o u r
cell p h o n es, electronic devices a n d co m p u ters. You m u s t n o t u se
an y device to se a rc h th e In te rn e t or to find o u t a n y th in g re la te d to
an y c a se s in th e c o u rth o u se .
B etw een now a n d w h en you have b een d isch arg ed from ju ry
d u ty by th e ju d g e, y o u m u s t n o t provide or receive a n y inform ation
a b o u t y o u r ju ry service to anyone, in clu d in g friends, co-w orkers,
a n d fam ily m em b ers. You m ay tell th o se w ho n eed to know w here
you are th a t y o u have b ee n called for ju ry duty. If you are picked for
a ju ry , you m ay tell people th a t you have b een picked for a ju ry a n d
how long th e case m ay tak e. However, you m u s t n o t give anyone
an y in fo rm atio n a b o u t th e case itself or th e people involved in th e
case. You m u s t also w arn people n o t to try to say a n y th in g to you or
w rite to y o u a b o u t y o u r ju ry service or th e case. T his in clu d es faceto-face, p h o n e o r c o m p u te r co m m u n icatio n s.
In th is age of electronic co m m u n icatio n , I w a n t to s tre s s th a t
you m u s t n o t u s e electronic devices or co m p u ters to ta lk a b o u t th is
case,

in clu d in g

tw eeting,

texting,

blogging,

e-m ailing,

postin g

in fo rm atio n on a w ebsite or c h a t room , o r a n y o th e r m e a n s a t all.

Do n o t se n d or ac cep t a n y m essag es, in clu d in g e-m ail a n d text
m essag es, a b o u t y o u r ju ry service. You m u s t n o t disclose y o u r

th o u g h ts a b o u t y o u r ju ry service or a s k for advice on how to decide

an y case.
After you are called to th e courtroom , th e ju d g e will give you
specific in s tru c tio n s a b o u t th e se m a tte rs. A ju d g e will tell you w h en
you are released from th is in stru c tio n . All of u s are d ep en d in g on
y o u to follow th e se ru les, so th a t th e re will be a fair a n d law ful
reso lu tio n of every case.

INSTRUCTION # 3
INTRODUCTION OF PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR ROLES
Who are the p eo p le here a n d w h a t do th ey do?
J u d g e / C ourt

am

th e

Ju d g e .

You

m ay

hear

people

occasionally refer to m e a s The C o u rt. T h a t is th e form al n am e for

m y role. My jo b is to m a in ta in o rd er a n d decide how to apply th e
ru le s of th e law to th e trial. I will also explain v ario u s ru le s to you
th a t y o u will n eed to know in o rd er to do y o u r jo b a s th e ju ry . It is
m y jo b to re m a in n e u tra l o n th e iss u e s of th is law suit.
Parties: A p a rty w ho files a law su it is called th e Plaintiff. A
p a rty th a t is s u e d is called th e D efendant.
A ttorneys: The a tto rn e y s have th e jo b of re p re se n tin g th e ir
clients. T h at m e a n s th ey sp e a k for th e ir client h ere a t th e trial. They
have ta k e n o a th s a s a tto rn e y s to do th e ir b e s t a n d to follow th e
ru le s for th e ir profession.
P la in tiffs Counsel: The a tto rn e y s on th is side of th e courtroom ,
C h arles

H arder,

K en n eth T urkel,

and

S h an e

Vogt,

re p re se n t

Plaintiff T erry Bollea, w ho filed th e law su it h ere a t th e c o u rth o u se .

T heir jo b is to p re s e n t th e ir clien ts side of th in g s to you. They a n d
th e ir clien t will be referred to m o st of th e tim e a s th e plaintiff.
Mr. B olleas

atto rn ey ,

David

H o u sto n , will also

be

se a te d

at

P lain tiffs table. However, Mr. H o u sto n is a w itn ess in th is case, so

h e is n o t re p re se n tin g Mr. B ollea in th is trial.
D efe n d a n ts

C ounsel: The

a tto rn e y s

on

th is

side

of th e

co u rtro o m re p re s e n t D efen d an ts G aw ker M edia, LLC, Nick D enton,

a n d A.J. D aulerio, th e o nes w ho have b een su ed .

Mr. S ullivan,

p lease in tro d u ce y o u rself a n d th o se se a te d a t y o u r tab le. T heir job

is to p re se n t th e ir c lie n ts side of th in g s to you. They a n d th e ir
clien ts will u su a lly be referred to h ere a s th e d e fe n d a n ts.
Court Clerk: T his p e rso n sittin g in fro n t of m e, (name), is th e
c o u rt clerk. [He] [She] is h ere to a s s is t m e w ith som e of th e
m ech a n ic s of th e trial p ro cess, in clu d in g th e n u m b e rin g a n d
collection of th e ex h ibits th a t are in tro d u c e d in th e co u rse of th e
trial.
Court Reporter.

The

p e rso n

sittin g

at

th e

sten o g rap h ic

m ach in e, (name), is th e c o u rt rep o rter. [His] [Her] jo b is to keep a n

a c c u ra te legal record of everything we say a n d do d u rin g th is trial.
Bailiff: The p e rso n over th ere , (name), is th e bailiff. [His] [Her]
jo b is to m a in ta in o rd er a n d sec u rity in th e courtroom . The bailiff is
also m y re p resen tativ e to th e ju ry . A nything you n eed o r an y
p ro b lem s th a t com e u p for you d u rin g th e co u rse of th e tria l sh o u ld
be b ro u g h t to [him] [her]. However, th e bailiff c a n n o t a n sw e r an y of
y o u r q u e stio n s a b o u t th e case. Only I c a n do th a t.

J u r y : L ast, b u t n o t least, is th e ju ry , w h ich we will begin to

select in a few m o m en ts from am ong all of you. The ju r y s jo b will be
to decide w h a t th e facts are a n d w h a t th e facts m ean . J u r o r s
sh o u ld be a s n e u tra l a s p ossible a t th is p o in t a n d have no fixed
opinion a b o u t th e law su it.
In o rd er to have a fair a n d law ful trial, th e re are ru le s th a t all
ju ro rs m u s t follow. A b asic ru le is th a t ju ro rs m u s t decide th e case
only on th e evidence p re se n te d in th e courtroom . You m u s t n o t
co m m u n icate w ith an yone, in clu d in g friends a n d fam ily m em b ers,
a b o u t th is case, th e people a n d places involved, or y o u r ju ry
service. You m u s t n o t disclose y o u r th o u g h ts a b o u t th is case or a s k
for advice on how to decide th is case.
I w a n t to s tre s s th a t th is ru le m e a n s you m u s t n o t u se
electronic devices or c o m p u te rs to co m m u n icate a b o u t th is case,
in clu d in g tw eeting, texting, blogging, e-m ailing, p o stin g inform ation
o n a w ebsite o r c h a t room , o r a n y o th e r m e a n s a t all. Do n o t se n d
o r ac cep t a n y m essag e s to or from an y o n e a b o u t th is case or y o u r
ju ry service.
You m u s t n o t do a n y re se a rc h or look u p w ords, n a m e s, or
a n y th in g else th a t m ay have an y th in g to do w ith th is case. T his
in clu d es

read in g

n ew sp a p ers,

w atch in g

television

or u sin g

co m p u ter, cell p h o n e, th e In tern et, a n y electronic device, or an y

o th e r m e a n s a t all, to get inform ation re la te d to th is case or th e

people a n d p laces involved in th is case. T his ap p lies w h e th e r you
are in th e c o u rth o u se , a t hom e, or anyw here else.
M any of you m ay have cell p h o n es, ta b le ts, lap to p s or o th er
electronic devices w ith you h ere in th e courtroom .
All cell p h o n es, co m p u ters, ta b le ts or o th e r types of electronic
devices m u s t be tu rn e d off while you are in th e courtroom . T u rn ed
off m e a n s th a t th e p h o n e or o th e r electronic device is actu ally off
a n d n o t in a silen t or v ib ratin g m ode. You m ay u s e th e se devices
d u rin g re cesses, b u t even th e n you m ay n o t u se y o u r cell p h o n e or
electronic device to find o u t an y in fo rm atio n a b o u t th e case or
co m m u n icate w ith an y o n e a b o u t th e case or th e people involved in
th e case.

Do n o t ta k e p h o to g rap h s, video recordings or au d io

reco rd in g s of th e pro ceed ings or of y o u r fellow ju ro rs .

After ea ch

re cess, p lease do u b le ch eck to m ak e su re y o u r cell p h o n e or

electronic device is tu rn e d off. At th e en d of th e case, w hile you are
delib eratin g , y o u m u s t n o t co m m u n icate w ith anyone o u tsid e th e
ju ry room .

You c a n n o t have in th e ju ry room a n y cell p h o n es,

co m p u ters, o r o th e r electronic devices. If som eone n eed s to c o n ta c t

y o u in a n em ergency, th e c o u rt c a n receive m essag es a n d deliver
th e m to y o u w ith o u t delay.

A c o n ta c t p h o n e n u m b e r will be

provided to you.

W hat are th e re a so n s for th e se ru le s? T hese ru le s are im posed

b e c a u se ju ro rs m u s t decide th e case w ith o u t d istra c tio n a n d only
on th e evidence p re se n te d in th e courtroom .

If y o u investigate,

re se a rc h , o r m ak e in q u iries on y o u r ow n o u tsid e of th e courtroom ,

th e tria l ju d g e h a s no w ay to m ak e s u re th a t th e in fo rm atio n you
o b ta in is p ro p e r for th e case.

The p a rtie s likew ise have no

o p p o rtu n ity to d isp u te or challenge th e a c c u ra c y of w h a t you find.

T h a t is c o n tra ry to o u r ju d ic ia l system , w hich a s s u re s every p a rty
th e rig h t to a s k q u e stio n s a b o u t a n d challenge th e evidence being
co n sid ered a g a in st it a n d to p re se n t a rg u m e n t w ith re sp e c t to th a t
evidence.

Any in d e p e n d e n t investigation by a ju ro r u n fairly a n d

im properly p rev en ts th e p a rtie s from h aving th a t o p p o rtu n ity o u r

ju d ic ia l sy stem p rom ises.
Any ju r o r w ho violates th e se re stric tio n s jeo p ard izes th e
fa irn ess of th e se proceedings, a n d a m istria l could re su lt th a t w ould
req u ire th e en tire trial p ro cess to s ta rt over. A m istria l is a
tre m e n d o u s ex p en se a n d inconvenience to th e p a rtie s, th e co u rt,
a n d th e tax p ay ers.

If you violate th e se ru les, you m ay be held in

co n tem p t of co u rt, a n d face sa n c tio n s, s u c h a s serving tim e in jail,

paying a fine or both.
All of y o u r co m m u n icatio n s w ith co u rtro o m p erso n n el, or m e,
will be p a r t of th e reco rd of th e se proceedings.

T h at m e a n s th o se

10

co m m u n icatio n s sh a ll e ith e r be m ad e in open co u rt w ith th e c o u rt

re p o rte r p re se n t or, if th ey are in w riting, th e w riting will be filed
w ith th e c o u rt clerk.

I have in stru c te d th e co u rtro o m p erso n n e l

th a t a n y co m m u n icatio n s you have w ith th e m o u tsid e of m y

p re se n ce m u s t be rep o rted to m e, a n d I will tell th e p a rtie s [and
th e ir attorneys] a b o u t an y co m m u n icatio n from you th a t I believe
m ay be of in te re s t to th e p a rtie s [and th e ir attorneys].
However, you m ay co m m u n icate

directly w ith co u rtro o m

p e rso n n e l a b o u t m a tte rs co n cerning y o u r com fort a n d safety, s u c h

a s [juror parking] [location of b re a k areas] [how a n d w h en to
assem b le for duty] [dress] [w hat p e rso n a l item s c a n be b ro u g h t into
th e c o u rth o u se o r ju ry room] [list an y o th e r types of ro u tin e ex
p a rte co m m u n icatio n s perm itted].
If y o u becom e aw are of a n y violation of th e se in stru c tio n s or
an y o th e r in stru c tio n I give in th is case, you m u s t tell m e by giving
a n ote to th e bailiff.

ll

INSTRUCTION # 4
EXPLANATION OF THE VOIR DIRE PROCESS
Voir Dire:
The la s t th in g I w a n t to do, before we begin to select th e ju ry ,
is to explain to y o u how th e selection p ro cess w orks.
Q u e stio n s/ Challenges: T his is th e p a rt of th e case w here th e
p a rtie s a n d th e ir law yers have th e o p p o rtu n ity to get to know a little
b it a b o u t you, in o rd er to help th e m com e to th e ir own co n clu sio n s
a b o u t y o u r ability to be fair a n d im p artial, so th ey c a n decide w ho
th ey th in k sh o u ld be th e ju ro rs in th is case.
How we go a b o u t th a t is a s follows: F irst, 111 a s k som e general
q u e stio n s of you. T hen, e a c h of th e law yers will have m ore specific
q u e stio n s th a t th e y will a s k of you. After th e y have a sk e d all of th e ir
q u estio n s, I will m eet w ith th e m a n d th ey will tell m e th e ir choices
for ju ro rs . E ach side c a n a s k th a t I exclude a p e rso n from serving
on a ju ry if th ey c a n give m e a re a so n to believe th a t he or sh e
m ig h t be u n a b le to be fair a n d im p artial. T h a t is w h a t is called a
challenge for ca u se. The law yers also have a c e rta in n u m b e r of w h a t
are called p erem p to ry ch allenges, by w h ich th e y m ay exclude a
p e rso n from th e ju ry w ith o u t giving a re aso n . By th is p ro cess of
elim ination, th e rem ain in g p e rso n s are selected a s th e ju ry . It m ay

12

ta k e m ore th a n one conference am ong th e p a rtie s, th e ir atto rn ey s,

a n d m e before th e final selections are m ade.
Purpose o f Q uestioning: The q u e stio n s th a t you will be ask e d
d u rin g

th is

p ro cess

are

not

in ten d ed

to

e m b a rra ss

you

or

u n n e c e ssa rily p ry into y o u r p e rso n a l affairs, b u t it is im p o rta n t th a t

th e p a rtie s a n d th e ir a tto rn e y s know e n o u g h a b o u t y o u to m ak e
th is im p o rta n t decision. If a q u estio n is a sk e d th a t y o u w ould prefer
n o t to a n sw e r in fro n t of th e w hole co u rtro o m , j u s t let m e know a n d
y o u c a n com e u p h ere a n d give y o u r a n sw e r j u s t in fro n t of th e
a tto rn e y s a n d m e. If y o u have a q u e stio n of e ith e r th e a tto rn e y s or
m e, d o n t h e sita te to let m e know .
R esp o n se to Questioning: T here are no rig h t or w rong a n sw e rs
to th e q u e stio n s th a t will be a sk e d of you. The only th in g th a t I a s k
is th a t y o u an sw e r th e q u e stio n s a s frankly a n d a s h o n estly a n d as
com pletely a s you can. You [will take] [have taken] a n o a th to
a n sw e r all q u e stio n s tru th fu lly a n d com pletely a n d you m u s t do so.
R em aining silen t w h en you have inform ation you sh o u ld disclose is
a violation of th a t o a th a s well. If a ju ro r violates th is o ath , it n o t
only m ay re s u lt in hav in g to try th e case all over ag ain b u t also ca n
re s u lt in civil a n d crim in al p en a lties a g a in st a ju ro r personally. So,
again, it is very im p o rta n t th a t you be a s h o n e st a n d com plete w ith
y o u r a n sw e rs a s you po ssibly can. If you d o n t u n d e r s ta n d th e

13

q u estio n , p lease ra ise y o u r h a n d a n d a s k for a n ex p lan atio n or

clarification.
In su m , th is is a p ro cess to a s s is t th e p a rtie s a n d th e ir
a tto rn e y s to select a fair a n d im p artial ju ry . All of th e q u estio n s
th ey a s k you are for th is p u rp o se. If, for a n y re aso n , you do n o t
th in k y o u c a n be a fair a n d im p artial ju ro r, you m u s t tell u s.

14

INSTRUCTION # 5
OATH OF JUROR & INTRODUCTION
A d m in ister Oath:
will well a n d

tru ly

Do you solem nly sw ear or affirm th a t you

try

th is

case

betw een

th e

plaintiff a n d

d e fe n d a n ts, a n d a tru e verdict re n d e r according to th e law a n d

evidence [so h elp y o u God]?
You have now ta k e n a n o a th to serve a s ju ro rs in th is trial.
Before we begin, I am going to provide you w ith a n overview of th e
claim s a n d d efen ses a t is su e s in th is ca se a n d let you know w h a t
y o u c a n expect a s th e trial proceeds.
It is m y in te n tio n to give you a n overview of th e ru le s of law
asso c ia te d w ith th e claim s a n d d efen ses in th is case, b u t it m ight
be th a t I will n o t know for su re all of th e law th a t will ap p ly in th is
case u n til all of th e evidence is p re se n te d . However, I c a n an tic ip a te
m o st of th e law a n d will give you a n overview of it a t th e beginning
of th e trial so th a t y o u will b e tte r u n d e r s ta n d w h a t to be looking for
w hile th e evidence is p re se n te d . If I la te r decide th a t different or
ad d itio n al law ap p lies to th e case, I will tell you. In an y event, a t th e
en d of th e evidence I will give you th e final in stru c tio n s on w hich
you

m ust

b a se

your

verdict,

in clu d in g

specific

governing th e elem en ts of e a c h claim a n d defense.

in stru c tio n s
At th a t tim e,

15

y o u will have a com plete w ritten se t of th e in stru c tio n s so you do

n o t have to m em orize w h a t I am a b o u t to tell you.

16

INSTRUCTION # 6
OVERVIEW OF CLAIMS AND DEFENSES
I will now d isc u ss ea ch of th e specific claim s a n d defenses,
a n d define som e of th e te rm s you will u s e in deciding th is case.
Plaintiff h a s a s s e rte d five claim s a g a in st D efen d an ts. E ac h of
th e se is a s e p a ra te a n d in d e p e n d e n t claim w hich y o u will decide in
th is case. T hese claim s are a s follows:
P lain tiffs first claim is for in vasion of privacy b a se d u p o n th e
p u b licatio n of p riv ate facts. T h a t claim c o n sists of th e p u b licatio n
of tru th fu l p riv ate in fo rm ation th a t a re aso n ab le p e rso n w ould find
highly offensive, a n d th a t does n o t relate to a m a tte r of legitim ate
p u b lic concern.
P lain tiffs seco n d claim is for in v asio n of privacy b a se d on
in tru s io n u p o n seclu sio n .

T h at claim c o n sists of th e w rongful

in tru s io n th ro u g h p h y sical or electronic m e a n s into a p lace in

w h ich P laintiff h a d a re aso n ab le ex p ectatio n of privacy in s u c h a
m an n er as

to

o u trag e

or c a u se

m e n ta l suffering,

sh a m e

or

h u m iliatio n to a p e rso n of o rd in ary sensibilities.

P lain tiffs th ird claim is for in v asio n of privacy b a se d on
m isap p ro p riatio n of th e rig h t of publicity.
th e

u n a u th o riz e d

use

of P lain tiffs

T h at claim c o n sists of

n am e

or

lik en ess

for

com m ercial or ad v ertisin g p u rp o se.

17

P lain tiffs fo u rth claim is for in ten tio n a l infliction of em otional

d istre ss. T h a t claim c o n sists of extrem e a n d o u trag e o u s c o n d u c t by
a d e fe n d a n t th a t c a u s e s severe em otional d istre ss a n d w as engaged
in e ith e r w ith a n in te n t to c a u se severe em otional d istre ss or a
reck less d isreg ard of th e h igh probability th a t it w ould c a u se severe
em otional d istre ss.

E xtrem e a n d o u tra g e o u s co n d u c t is b ehavior

w hich, u n d e r th e c irc u m sta n c e s, goes well beyond all possible

b o u n d s of decency a n d is reg ard ed a s shocking, atro c io u s, a n d
u tte rly into lerab le in a civilized com m unity.

E m otional D istress is

severe w h en it is of s u c h in te n sity or d u ra tio n th a t no o rd in ary

p e rso n sh o u ld be expected to e n d u re it.
P lain tiffs fifth claim is for violation of F lo rid as S ecu rity of
C o m m u n icatio n s Act. T h a t claim c o n sists of th e d isclo su re of oral
co m m u n icatio n s in w h ich P laintiff h a d a re aso n ab le ex p ectatio n of
privacy by one w ho know s or h a s re a so n to know th a t th e
co m m u n icatio n s w ere recorded w ith o u t P lain tiffs know ledge or
co n sen t.
D efen d an ts d en y P lain tiffs claim s.
th e

video,

in

th e

co n tex t

of th e

D efen d an ts c o n te n d th a t

accom panying

re p o rt

and

co m m en tary , w as p ro tected by th e F irst A m endm ent b e c a u se it

re la te d to a m a tte r of p u b lic concern. They also deny specific p a rts
of P lain tiffs claim s.

For exam ple, th e D efen d an ts d en y th a t th ey

in tru d e d physically or electronically into a private place. They also

18

d en y th a t th ey u s e d P lain tiffs n am e or lik en ess for a com m ercial or

ad v ertisin g p u rp o se.

T hey fu rth e r m a in ta in th a t P laintiff did not,

in fact, su ffer severe em otional d istre ss a s a re s u lt of th e ir co n d u ct.

A nd th ey c o n ten d th a t th ey p o sted th e video c o n tain in g P lain tiffs
oral co m m u n icatio n s on G aw ker.com in good faith reliance on a
good faith d eterm in atio n th a t th e ir co n d u c t w as lawful.

19

INSTRUCTION # 7
LEGITIMATE PUBLIC CONCERN
The issu e of legitim ate pu b lic c o n c e rn or n ew sw o rth in e ss is
a n elem en t of P lain tiffs claim for p u b licatio n of private facts, a s well
a s a F irst A m en d m en t defense ra ise d by D efen d an ts to ea ch of
P lain tiffs claim s. I will now define legitim ate public concern.
The rig h t of privacy a n d th e rig h t of freedom of th e p re ss are
b o th fu n d a m e n ta l rig h ts, w hich m u s t be b alan ced .

The rig h t to

privacy c a n be outw eighed if a p u b licatio n re la te s to m a tte rs of

legitim ate pu b lic concern.
A m a tte r of pu b lic co n cern is one th a t c a n be fairly co nsidered
a s relatin g to an y m a tte r of political, social, or o th e r co n cern to th e
co m m u n ity or th a t is su b je c t to general in te re st a n d co n cern to th e
public.

The

in a p p ro p ria te

m ere

fact th a t

p u b licatio n

c o n ta in s

c o n te n t does n o t rem ove it from th e

arg u ab ly
realm

of

legitim ate pu b lic in terest.

In w eighing th is issu e , you sh o u ld tak e into a c c o u n t th e
co n ten t, co n tex t a n d form of th e m aterial a t th e tim e of p u b licatio n
to d eterm in e w h e th e r it re la te s to a m a tte r of public concern. The
line betw een th e rig h t to privacy a n d th e freedom of th e p re ss is
d raw n w here th e p u b licatio n ce ases to be th e giving of inform ation
to w hich th e pu b lic is entitled, a n d becom es a m orbid a n d

20

se n sa tio n a l prying into private lives for its own sak e, w ith w hich a
re a so n a b le m em b er of th e public, w ith d ec en t s ta n d a rd s , w ould say
th a t h e or sh e h a d no concern.

21

INSTRUCTION # 8
GREATER WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE
The p a rtie s m u s t prove th e ir respective claim s a n d defenses by
th e g re ater w eight of th e evidence. G reater w eight of th e evidence
m e a n s th e m ore p ersu a siv e a n d convincing force a n d effect of th e
en tire evidence in th e case.

22

INSTRUCTION # 9
EXPLANATION OF THE TRIAL PROCEDURE
Now th a t y o u have h e a rd a n overview of th e claim s a n d
d efen ses, I w a n t to let y o u know w h a t you c a n expect a s th e trial
proceeds.
O pening Statem ents:

In a few m o m en ts, th e a tto rn e y s will

e a c h have a ch a n ce to m ak e w h a t are called opening sta te m e n ts. In

a n op enin g sta te m e n t, a n a tto rn e y is allow ed to give you h is or h e r
views a b o u t w h a t th e evidence will be in th e tria l a n d w h a t you are
likely to see a n d h e a r in th e testim ony.
E videntiary Phase: After th e a tto rn e y s o p ening sta te m e n ts th e
plaintiffs will b rin g th e ir w itn e sse s a n d evidence to you.
Evidence: Evidence is th e inform ation th a t th e law allow s you
to see or h e a r in deciding th is case. Evidence in clu d es th e
testim o n y of th e w itn esses, d o c u m e n ts, a n d a n y th in g else th a t I
in s tru c t y o u to consider.
W itnesses: A w itn ess is a p e rso n w ho ta k e s a n o a th to tell th e
tr u th a n d th e n a n sw e rs a tto rn e y s q u e stio n s for th e ju ry . The
an sw erin g of a tto rn e y s q u e stio n s by w itn e sse s is called giving
testim o n y . T estim ony m e a n s sta te m e n ts th a t are m ad e w h en
som eone h a s sw orn a n o a th to tell th e tru th .

23

The p la in tiffs law yer will norm ally a s k a w itn ess th e q u estio n s
first. T h a t is called d irect exam ination. T h en th e defense law yer
m ay a s k th e sam e w itn ess ad d itio n al q u e stio n s a b o u t w h atev er th e
w itn ess h a s testified to. T h a t is called cro ss-ex am in atio n . C ertain
d o c u m e n ts or o th e r evidence m ay also be show n to you d u rin g
d irect or cro ss-ex am in atio n . After th e p la in tiffs w itn e sse s have
testified, th e d e fe n d a n t will have th e o p p o rtu n ity to p u t w itn esses
on th e s ta n d a n d go th ro u g h th e sam e p rocess. T hen th e p la in tiffs
law yer gets to do cro ss-ex am in atio n . The p ro cess is designed to be
fair to b o th sides.
It is im p o rta n t th a t you re m em b er th a t testim o n y com es from
w itn esses. The a tto rn e y s do n o t give testim o n y a n d th ey are n o t
th em selv es w itn esses.
O bjections: S om etim es th e a tto rn e y s will disagree a b o u t th e
ru le s for trial p ro ced u re w h en a q u e stio n is ask e d of a w itn ess.
W hen th a t h a p p e n s, one of th e law yers m ay m ak e w h a t is called a n
o b jection. The ru le s for a trial c a n be com plicated, a n d th e re are
m an y re a so n s for a tto rn e y s to object. You sh o u ld sim ply w ait for m e
to decide how to proceed. If I say th a t a n objection is s u s ta in e d ,
th a t m e a n s th e w itn ess m ay n o t a n sw e r th e q u estio n . If I say th a t
th e objection is o v erru led , th a t m e a n s th e w itn ess m ay a n sw e r th e
q u estio n .

24

W hen th ere is a n objection a n d I m ak e a decision, you m u s t

n o t a s s u m e from th a t d ecision th a t I have a n y p a rtic u la r opinion
o th e r th a n th a t th e ru le s for c o n d u c tin g a trial are being correctly
followed. If I say a q u estio n m ay n o t be a sk e d or an sw ered , you
m u s t n o t tiy to g u ess w h a t th e a n sw e r w ould have been. T h a t is
a g a in st th e ru les, too.
Side B a r C onferences: S om etim es I will n eed to sp e a k to th e
a tto rn e y s a b o u t legal elem en ts of th e case th a t are n o t ap p ro p riate
for th e ju ry to h ear. The a tto rn e y s a n d I will try to have a s few of
th e se conferences a s possible while you are giving u s y o u r valuable
tim e in th e co u rtroom . B ut, if we do have to have s u c h a conference
d u rin g testim o n y , we will tiy to hold th e conference a t th e side of
m y d esk so th a t we do n o t have to ta k e a b re a k a n d a s k you to
leave th e co u rtroom .
R ecesses:

B reak s in a n ongoing trial are u su a lly called

re c e s s e s . D u rin g a re cess you still have y o u r d u tie s a s a ju ro r a n d

m u s t follow th e ru les, even while having coffee, a t lu n c h , o r a t
hom e.
Instructions B efore Closing A rg u m en ts: After all th e evidence
h a s b ee n p re se n te d to you, I will in s tru c t you in th e law th a t you
m u s t follow. It is im p o rta n t th a t you re m e m b e r th e se in stru c tio n s
to a s s is t y o u in ev alu atin g th e final a tto rn e y p re se n ta tio n s, w hich

25

com e next, an d , later, d u rin g y o u r d elib eratio n s, to h elp you

correctly so rt th ro u g h th e evidence to re a c h y o u r decision.
Closing A rg u m en ts:

The

a tto rn e y s

will th e n

have

th e

o p p o rtu n ity to m ak e th e ir final p re se n ta tio n s to you, w hich are

called closing a rg u m e n ts.
Final

In structions:

After

you

have

h e a rd

th e

closing

a rg u m e n ts, I will in s tru c t you fu rth e r in th e law a s well a s explain

to y o u th e p ro c e d u re s you m u s t follow to decide th e case.
Deliberations:

After you h e a r th e final ju ry in stru c tio n s, you

will go to th e ju ry room a n d d isc u ss a n d decide th e q u e stio n s I have

p u t on y o u r v erd ict form . [You will have a copy of th e ju ry
in s tru c tio n s to u s e d u rin g y o u r d iscu ssio n s.] The d isc u ssio n s you
have

and

th e

d ecisio n s

you

m ak e

are

u su a lly

called

ju ry

d elib era tio n s. Y our d elib eratio n s are ab so lu tely private a n d n e ith e r
I n o r an y o n e else will be w ith y o u in th e ju ry room .
V erdict W hen y o u have finished an sw erin g th e q u estio n s, you
will give th e verdict form to th e bailiff, a n d we will all re tu r n to th e
co u rtro o m w here y o u r v erdict will be read . W hen th a t is com pleted,
y o u will be released from y o u r a ssig n m e n t a s a ju ro r.
W hat are the rules?
Finally, before we begin th e trial, I w a n t to give you j u s t a b rief
ex p lan a tio n of ru le s y o u m u s t follow a s th e case proceeds.

26

K eeping a n O pen Mind:

You m u s t p ay close a tte n tio n to th e

testim o n y a n d o th e r evidence a s it com es into th e trial. However,

you m u s t avoid form ing an y final opinion or telling anyone else y o u r
views on th e case u n til you begin y o u r delib eratio n s. T his rule
re q u ires you to keep a n o pen m in d u n til you have h e a rd all of th e
evidence a n d is d esig n ed to p rev en t you from influencing how y o u r
fellow ju ro rs th in k u n til th ey have h e a rd all of th e evidence a n d h a d
a n o p p o rtu n ity to form th e ir ow n opinions. The tim e a n d place for
com ing to y o u r final o pinions a n d sp ea k in g a b o u t th e m w ith y o u r
fellow ju ro rs is d u rin g d elib eratio n s in th e ju ry room , after all of th e
evidence h a s b een p re se n te d , closing a rg u m e n ts have b een m ade,
a n d I have in s tru c te d y o u on th e law. It is im p o rta n t th a t y o u h e a r
all of th e facts a n d th a t y o u h e a r th e law a n d how to ap p ly it before
you s ta rt deciding an y th in g.
C onsider Only the Evidence: It is th e th in g s you h e a r a n d see
in th is co u rtro o m th a t m a tte r in th is trial. The law tells u s th a t a
ju ro r c a n co n sid er only th e testim o n y a n d o th e r evidence th a t all
th e o th e r ju ro rs have also h e a rd a n d see n in th e p re se n ce of th e
ju d g e a n d th e law yers. D oing an y th in g else is w rong a n d is a g a in st
th e law. T h a t m e a n s th a t y o u m u s t n o t do a n y w ork or investigation
of y o u r ow n a b o u t th e case. You m u s t n o t o b ta in on y o u r ow n an y
in fo rm atio n a b o u t th e case or a b o u t anyone involved in th e case,

27

from a n y so u rce w h atsoever. T his in clu d es read in g n ew sp ap ers,

w atch in g television or u s in g a co m p u ter, cell p h o n e, th e In tern et,
a n y electronic device, o r a n y o th e r m e a n s a t all, to get inform ation
re la te d to th is case o r th e people a n d p laces involved in th is case.
T his ap p lies w h e th e r y o u are in th e c o u rth o u se , a t hom e, or
an yw here else. You m u s t n o t visit places m en tio n ed in th e tria l or
u s e th e in te rn e t to look a t m a p s or p ic tu re s to see a n y place
d isc u sse d d u rin g trial.
Do n o t provide a n y in fo rm atio n a b o u t th is case to anyone,
in clu d in g frien d s o r fam ily m em b ers. Do n o t let anyone, in clu d in g
th e

clo sest fam ily m em b ers, m ak e co m m en ts to you or a s k

q u e stio n s a b o u t th e trial. J u r o r s m u s t n o t have d isc u ssio n s of an y

so rt w ith friends or fam ily m em b ers a b o u t th e case or th e people
a n d places involved. So, do n o t let even th e clo sest fam ily m em b ers
m ak e co m m en ts to y o u or a s k q u e stio n s a b o u t th e trial. In th is age
of electronic co m m u n icatio n , I w a n t to s tre s s ag ain th a t j u s t a s you
m u s t n o t ta lk a b o u t th is case face-to-face, you m u s t n o t ta lk a b o u t
th is case by u sin g a n electronic device. You m u s t n o t u s e p h o n es,
ta b le ts, co m p u ters or o th e r electronic devices to co m m u n icate. Do
n o t se n d or accep t a n y m essag e s re la te d to th is case or y o u r ju ry
service. Do n o t d isc u ss th is case or a s k for advice by an y m e a n s a t

28

all, in clu d in g p o stin g in fo rm ation on a n In te rn e t w ebsite, c h a t room

o r blog.
No Mid-Trial D iscussions:

W hen we are in a recess, do n o t

d is c u s s a n y th in g a b o u t th e trial o r th e case w ith ea ch o th e r or w ith

an y o n e else. If a tto rn e y s a p p ro a c h you, d o n t sp e a k w ith th em . The
law say s th ey are to avoid c o n ta c t w ith you. If a n a tto rn e y will n o t
look a t y o u or sp e a k to you, do n o t be offended or form a co n clu sio n
a b o u t th a t behavior. The a tto rn e y is n o t su p p o se d to in te ra c t w ith
ju ro rs o u tsid e of th e co u rtro o m a n d is only following th e ru les. The
a tto rn e y is n o t being im polite. If a n a tto rn e y o r an y o n e else does try
to sp e a k w ith you o r say s so m eth in g a b o u t th e case in y o u r
p resen ce, p lease inform th e bailiff im m ediately.
Only the J u ry D ecides: O nly you get to deliberate a n d an sw e r
th e verdict q u e stio n s a t th e en d of th e trial. I will n o t in tru d e into
y o u r d elib eratio n s a t all. I am req u ired to be n e u tra l. You sh o u ld
n o t a s s u m e th a t I prefer one decision over a n o th er. You sh o u ld n o t
try to g u e ss w h a t m y opinion is a b o u t an y p a rt of th e case. It w ould
be w rong for you to co n clude th a t a n y th in g I say or do m e a n s th a t I
am for one side or a n o th e r in th e trial. D iscu ssin g a n d deciding th e
facts is y o u r jo b alone.

29

Use o f Cell P hones a n d Electronic D evices in the Courtroom a n d Ju ry

Room:
All cell p h o n es or o th e r types of electronic devices m u s t be
tu rn e d off w hile you are in th e courtroom . T u rn e d off m e a n s th a t
th e p h o n e or o th e r electronic device is a c tu a lly off a n d n o t in a
silen t or v ib ratin g m ode.

You m ay u s e th e se devices d u rin g

re cesses, b u t even th e n you m ay n o t u s e y o u r p h o n e or electronic

device to find o u t an y in form ation a b o u t th e case or co m m u n icate
w ith an y o n e a b o u t th e case or th e people involved in th e case. Do
n o t tak e p h o to g ra p h s, video recordings or au d io recordings of th e
p ro ceedings or y o u r fellow ju ro rs . After e a c h recess, p lease double
ch eck to m ak e s u re y o u r device is tu rn e d off. At th e en d of th e case,
w hile you are delib eratin g , you m u s t n o t co m m u n icate w ith anyone
o u tsid e th e ju ry room . You c a n n o t have in th e ju ry room a n y cell
p h o n es, co m p u ters, or o th e r electronic devices. If th e re are b re a k s
in th e d elib eratio n s, I m ay allow you to co m m u n icate w ith y o u r
fam ily or frien d s, b u t do n o t co m m u n icate a b o u t th e case o r y o u r
d elib eratio n s.

If som eone n eed s to c o n ta c t you in a n em ergency,

th e c o u rt c a n receive m essag e s a n d deliver th e m to you w ith o u t

delay. The c o u rts p h o n e n u m b e r will be provided to you.

30

INSTRUCTION # 10
NOTE-TAKING BY JURORS
If you w ould like to ta k e n o tes d u rin g th e trial, you m ay do so.
O n th e o th e r h a n d , of co u rse , you are n o t re q u ired to ta k e n o tes if
you do n o t w a n t to. T h a t will be left u p to you individually.
You will be provided w ith a n ote p a d a n d a p e n for u s e if you
w ish to ta k e n o tes. Any n o tes th a t y o u ta k e will be for y o u r p erso n a l
u se . However, y o u sh o u ld n o t ta k e th e m w ith y o u from th e
co u rtro o m . D u rin g recesses, th e bailiff will ta k e p o sse ssio n of y o u r
n o tes a n d will re tu rn th e m to you w h en we reconvene. After you
have com pleted y o u r d elib eratio n s, th e bailiff will deliver y o u r n o tes
to m e. T hey will be destroyed. No one will ever re ad y o u r n o tes.
If you ta k e n o tes, do n o t get so involved in n o te-tak in g th a t
you becom e d istra c te d from th e proceedings. Y our n o tes sh o u ld be
u s e d only a s aid s to y o u r m em ory.
W h eth er or n o t you tak e n o tes, you sh o u ld rely on y o u r
m em ory of th e evidence a n d you sh o u ld n o t be u n d u ly influenced
by th e n o tes of o th e r ju ro rs . Notes are n o t en titled to an y g re ater
w eight th a n e a c h ju r o r s m em ory of th e evidence.

31

INSTRUCTION # 1 1
JUROR QUESTIONS
Q uestions fo r the court or courtroom personnel:
D u rin g th e trial, y ou m ay have a q u estio n a b o u t th ese
proceedings.

If so, p lease w rite it dow n a n d h a n d it to th e bailiff,

w ho will th e n h a n d it to m e.

I will review y o u r q u estio n w ith th e

p a rtie s a n d th e ir a tto rn e y s before responding.

Q uestions fo r w itn esses:
You also m ay have a q u estio n you th in k sh o u ld be a sk e d of a
w itn ess. If so, th e re is a w ay for you to re q u e st th a t I a s k th e
w itn ess a q u estio n . After all th e a tto rn e y s have com pleted th e ir
q u e stio n in g of th e w itn ess, you sh o u ld raise y o u r h a n d if you have
a q u estio n . I will th e n give you sufficient tim e to w rite th e q u estio n
o n a piece of p ap e r, fold it, a n d give it to th e bailiff, w ho will p a s s it
to m e. Do n o t p u t y o u r n am e on th e q u estio n , show it to an y o n e or
d is c u s s it w ith anyone.
I will th e n review th e q u e stio n w ith th e atto rn ey s. U n d er o u r
law, only c e rta in

evidence m ay be

co n sid ered by a ju ry

in

d eterm in in g a verdict. You are b o u n d by th e sam e ru le s of evidence

th a t co n tro l th e a tto rn e y s q u estio n s. If I decide th a t th e q u estio n
m ay n o t be a sk e d u n d e r o u r ru le s of evidence, I will tell you.
O therw ise, I will d irect th e q u e stio n to th e w itn ess. The a tto rn e y s

32

m ay th e n a s k follow-up q u estio n s if th ey w ish. If th e re are

ad d itio n al q u e stio n s from ju ro rs , we will follow th e sam e p ro ced u re
again.
By providing th is p ro ced u re, I do n o t m e a n to su g g est th a t you
m u s t or sh o u ld su b m it w ritten q u estio n s for w itn esses. In m o st
ca ses, th e law yers will have a sk e d th e n e c e ssa ry q u estio n s.

33

INSTRUCTION # 12
DEPOSITION TESTIMONY, INTERROGATORIES, STIPULATED
TESTIMONY, STIPULATIONS, AND ADMISSIONS
D eposition or prior testim ony:
M em bers of th e ju ry , th e sw orn testim o n y of (name), given
before trial, will now be p re se n te d . You are to co n sid er a n d weigh
th is testim o n y a s y o u w ould a n y o th e r evidence in th e case.
Interrogatories:
M em bers of th e ju ry , a n sw e rs to in terro g ato ries will now be
re a d to you. In terro g ato ries are w ritten q u e stio n s th a t have b een
p re se n te d before trial by one p a rty to a n o th e r. They are an sw ered
u n d e r o ath . You are to co n sid er a n d w eigh th e se q u e stio n s a n d
a n sw e rs a s you w ould an y o th e r evidence in th e case.
S tip u la ted testim ony:
M em bers of th e ju ry , th e p a rtie s have agreed th a t if (nam e of
w itness) w ere called a s a w itn ess, [he] [she] w ould testify (read or
d escrib e th e testim ony). You are to co n sid er a n d w eigh th is
testim o n y a s y o u w ould a n y o th e r evidence in th e case.
Stipulations:
M em bers of th e ju ry , th e p a rtie s have agreed to c e rta in facts.
You m u s t a c cep t th e se facts a s tru e . (Read th e agreed facts).
A d m issions:
1.

A pplicable to all p arties:

34

M em bers of th e ju ry , (identify th e p a rty or p a rtie s th a t have

ad m itte d th e facts) [has] [have] ad m itte d c e rta in facts. You m u s t
ac cep t th e se facts a s tru e . (Read th e adm issions).
2.

A pplicable to fewer th a n all p arties:

M em bers of th e ju ry , (identify th e p a rty or p a rtie s th a t have

ad m itte d th e facts) [has] [have] ad m itte d c e rta in facts. You m u s t
ac cep t th e se facts a s tru e in deciding th e issu e s betw een (identify
th e affected p arties), b u t th e se facts sh o u ld n o t be u s e d in deciding
th e is s u e s b etw een (identify th e u n affected parties). (Read th e
ad m issio n s).

35

INSTRUCTION # 13
INSTRUCTION WHEN FIRST ITEM OF DOCUMENTARY,
PHOTOGRAPHIC, OR PHYSICAL EVIDENCE IS ADMITTED
The (describe item of evidence) h a s now b een received in
evidence. W itn esses m ay testify a b o u t or refer to th is or an y o th e r
item of evidence d u rin g th e re m a in d e r of th e trial. T his a n d all o th e r
item s received in evidence will be available to you for ex am in atio n
d u rin g y o u r d elib eratio n s a t th e en d of th e trial.

36

INSTRUCTION # 14
INSTRUCTION WHEN EVIDENCE IS
FIRST PUBLISHED TO JURORS
The (describe item of evidence) h a s b een received in evidence.
It is b eing sh o w n to y o u now to help you u n d e r s ta n d th e testim o n y
of th is w itn ess a n d o th e r w itn esses in th e case, a s well a s th e
evidence a s a w hole. You m ay exam ine (describe item of evidence)
briefly now. It will also be available to you for ex am in atio n d u rin g
y o u r d elib eratio n s a t th e en d of th e trial.

37

INSTRUCTION # 1 5
INSTRUCTION REGARDING VISUAL OR DEMONSTRATIVE AIDS
Generally:
T his w itn ess will be u sin g (identify d em o n strativ e or v isu al
aid(s)) to a s s is t in explaining or illu stra tin g [his] [her] testim ony.
The testim o n y of th e w itn ess is evidence; how ever, [this] [these]
(identify d em o n strativ e or v isu al aid(s)) [is] [are] n o t to be co nsidered
a s evidence in th e case u n le s s received in evidence, a n d sh o u ld n o t
be u s e d a s a s u b s titu te for evidence. O nly item s received in
evidence will be available to you for co n sid eratio n d u rin g y o u r
delib eratio n s.
Specially created

visual or dem onstrative

a id s

b a se d

on

d isp u ted assu m p tio n s:

T his w itn ess will be u sin g (identify d em o n strativ e aid(s)) to
a s s is t in explaining or illu stra tin g [his] [her] testim ony. [This]
[These] item[s] [has] [have] b een p re p a re d to a s s is t th is w itn ess in
explaining

[his]

[her] testim ony.

[It] [They] m ay be b a se d on

a s s u m p tio n s w hich you are free to ac cep t or reject. The testim o n y of

th e

w itn ess

is

evidence;

how ever,

[this]

[these]

(identify

d em o n strativ e o r v isu al aid(s)) [is] [are] n o t to be co n sid ered a s

evidence in th e case u n le s s received in evidence, a n d sh o u ld n o t be

38

u s e d a s a s u b s titu te for evidence. Only item s received in evidence

will be available to y o u for co n sid eratio n d u rin g y o u r d eliberations.

39

INSTRUCTION # 16
EVIDENCE ADMITTED FOR A LIMITED PURPOSE
The (describe item of evidence) h a s now b een received into
evidence. It h a s b een ad m itted only [for th e p u rp o se of (describe
purpose)] [as to (nam e party)]. You m ay co n sid er it only [for th a t
purpose] [as it m ig h t affect (nam e party)]. You m ay n o t co n sid er
th a t evidence [for an y o th e r purpose] [as to [any o th e r party] [(name
o th e r party(s)].

40

INSTRUCTION # 17
INSTRUCTION BEFORE RECESS
We are a b o u t to ta k e [our first] [a] recess. R em em ber th a t all of
th e ru le s I have given you apply even w h en you are o u tsid e th e
co u rtro o m , s u c h a s a t recess.
R em em b er the basic rule:

Do n o t ta lk to anyone, in clu d in g

y o u r fellow ju ro rs , friends, fam ily or co-w orkers a b o u t a n y th in g

hav in g to do w ith th is trial, except to sp e a k to c o u rt staff.

This

m e a n s no e-m ailing, tex t m essaging, tw eeting, blogging, or an y

o th e r form of co m m u n icatio n .

You c a n n o t do a n y re se a rc h a b o u t

th e case or look u p a n y inform ation a b o u t th e case. R em em ber to

observe d u rin g o u r re cess th e o th e r ru le s I gave you. If y o u becom e
aw are of a n y violation of an y of th e se ru le s a t all, notify c o u rt
p e rso n n e l of th e violation.
After e a c h recess, p lease double ch eck to m ak e su re [th at y o u r
cell p h o n e or o th e r electronic device is tu rn e d off com pletely] [that
y o u do n o t b rin g y o u r cell p h o n e or o th e r electronic device into th e
co u rtro o m o r ju iy room ].

41

INSTRUCTION # 18
INTRODUCTION TO FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
M em bers of th e J u ry , you have now h e a rd a n d received all of
th e evidence in th is case. I am now going to tell you a b o u t th e ru les
of law th a t you m u s t u s e in reach in g y o u r verdict. You will recall a t
th e beg in n in g of th e case I told you th a t if, a t th e en d of th e case I
decided th a t different law applies, I w ould tell you so.

T hese

in s tru c tio n s are (slightly) different from w h a t I gave you a t th e

beg in n in g a n d it is th e se ru le s of law th a t you m u s t now follow.
W hen I fin ish telling y o u a b o u t th e ru le s of law, th e a tto rn e y s will
p re s e n t th e ir final a rg u m e n ts a n d you will th e n retire to decide y o u r
verdict.

42

INSTRUCTION # 19
BURDEN OF PROOF
The p lain tiff m u s t prove h is claim s for in vasion of privacy
b a se d o n p u b licatio n of private facts, in v asio n of privacy by
in tru s io n u p o n seclu sio n , in vasion of privacy by m isap p ro p riatio n
of th e rig h t of publicity, in te n tio n a l infliction of em otional d istre ss,
a n d violation of F lo rid as S ecu rity of C o m m u n icatio n s Act by th e
g re a te r w eight of th e evidence.

If plaintiff proves h is claim s, th e n

y o u will decide w h e th e r d e fe n d a n ts proved by th e g re ater w eight of

th e evidence th e ir affirm ative defenses. If plaintiff proves a n y or all
of h is claim s, a n d d e fe n d a n ts do n o t prove th e ir d efenses, you will
th e n co n sid er th e issu e of d am ages. I will now define som e of th e
te rm s you will u s e in deciding th is case.

43

INSTRUCTION # 2 0
GREATER WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE
G reater w eight of th e evidence m e a n s th e m ore p ersu a siv e
a n d convincing force a n d effect of th e en tire evidence in th e case.

44

INSTRUCTION # 2 1
FINAL OVERVIEW OF CLAIMS AND DEFENSES
I will now d isc u ss e a c h of th e specific claim s a n d defenses,
a n d define som e of th e te rm s y o u will u s e in deciding th is case.
P laintiff h a s a s s e rte d five claim s a g a in st D efendants. E ac h of
th e se is a s e p a ra te a n d in d e p e n d e n t claim w h ich you will decide in
th is case. T hese claim s are a s follows:
P lain tiffs first claim is for in vasion of privacy b a se d u p o n th e
p u b licatio n of p riv ate facts. T h a t claim c o n sists of th e p u b licatio n
of tru th fu l p riv ate in fo rm atio n th a t a re aso n ab le p e rso n w ould find
highly offensive, a n d th a t does n o t re la te to a m a tte r of legitim ate
p u b lic concern.
P lain tiffs seco n d claim is for in v asio n of privacy b a se d on
in tru s io n u p o n seclu sio n .

T h a t claim c o n sists of th e w rongful

in tru s io n th ro u g h p h y sical or electronic m e a n s into a p lace in

w hich P laintiff h a d a re aso n ab le ex p ectatio n of privacy in s u c h a
m anner as

to

o u trag e

or c a u se

m e n ta l suffering,

sh a m e

or

h u m iliatio n to a p e rso n of o rd in ary sensibilities.

P lain tiffs th ird claim is for in v asio n of privacy b a se d on
m isa p p ro p ria tio n of th e rig h t of publicity.
th e

u n a u th o riz e d

use

of P lain tiffs

T h a t claim c o n sists of

n am e

or

lik en ess

for a

com m ercial o r ad v ertisin g p u rp o se.

45

P lain tiffs fo u rth claim is for in ten tio n a l infliction of em otional

d istre ss. T h a t claim c o n sists of extrem e a n d o u trag e o u s c o n d u c t by
a d e fe n d a n t th a t c a u s e s severe em otional d istre ss a n d w as engaged
in e ith e r w ith a n in te n t to c a u se severe em otional d istre ss or a
reck less d isreg ard of th e h igh probability th a t it w ould c a u se severe
em otional d istre ss.

E xtrem e a n d o u tra g e o u s co n d u c t is behavior

w hich, u n d e r th e c irc u m sta n c e s, goes well beyond all possible

b o u n d s of decency a n d is reg ard ed a s shocking, atro cio u s, a n d
u tte rly into lerab le in a civilized com m unity.

E m otional D istress is

severe w h en it is of s u c h in te n sity or d u ra tio n th a t no o rd in ary

p e rso n sh o u ld be expected to e n d u re it.
P lain tiffs fifth claim is for violation of F lo rid as S ecu rity of
C o m m u n icatio n s Act. T h a t claim c o n sists of th e d isclo su re of oral
co m m u n icatio n s in w h ich P laintiff h a d a re aso n ab le ex p ectatio n of
privacy by one w ho know s o r h a s re a so n to know th a t th e
co m m u n icatio n s w ere recorded w ith o u t P lain tiffs know ledge or
co n sen t.
D efen d an ts d en y P lain tiffs claim s.
th e

video,

in

th e

co n tex t

of th e

D efen d an ts c o n ten d th a t

accom panying

re p o rt

and

co m m en tary , w as p ro tected by th e F irst A m endm ent b e c a u se it

re la te d to a m a tte r of p u b lic concern. They also d en y specific p a rts
of P lain tiffs claim s.

For exam ple, th e D efen d an ts deny th a t th ey

in tru d e d physically or electronically into a private place. They also

46

d en y th a t th ey u s e d P lain tiffs n am e or lik en ess for a com m ercial or

ad v ertisin g p u rp o se.

T hey fu rth e r m a in ta in th a t Plaintiff did not,

in fact, suffer severe em o tional d istre ss a s a re su lt of th e ir co n d u ct.

A nd th ey c o n ten d th a t th e y p o sted th e video co n tain in g P lain tiffs
oral co m m u n icatio n s o n G aw ker.com in good faith reliance on a
good faith d e te rm in a tio n th a t th e ir c o n d u c t w as lawful.

47

INSTRUCTION # 2 2
PUBLICATION OF PRIVATE FACTS
The is s u e s for you to decide on P lain tiffs claim for in vasion of
privacy for p u b licatio n of p riv ate facts are:
(1)

W h eth er D efen d an ts

publicly

disclosed

private

facts

co n cern in g Plaintiff by p o stin g th e video th a t is th e

su b je c t m a tte r of th is law su it (defined h erein a s th e
VIDEO) o n G aw ker.com ; a n d , if so,
(2)

W h eth er p o stin g th e VIDEO on th e w ebsite G aw ker.com

w as highly offensive to a p e rso n of o rd in ary sensibilities;
a n d , if so,

(3)

W h eth er th e VIDEO w as n o t re la te d to a m a tte r of

legitim ate pu b lic concern.

48

INSTRUCTION # 2 3
INVASION OF PRIVACY BY INTRUSION UPON SECLUSION
The is s u e s for y o u to decide on P lain tiffs claim for in vasion of
privacy b a se d o n in tru s io n are:
(1)

W h eth er

th e

D efen d an ts,

in

p o stin g

th e

VIDEO,

w rongfully in tru d e d into a place w here plaintiff h a d a

re a so n a b le ex p ectatio n of privacy; a n d , if so,
(2)

W h eth er p o stin g th e VIDEO w ould o u trag e o r c a u se

m e n ta l suffering, sh am e, h u m iliatio n or h u r t feelings to a
p e rso n of o rd in ary sen sibilities.

49

INSTRUCTION # 2 4
INVASION OF PRIVACY BASED ON RIGHT OF PUBLICITY
The is s u e s for you to decide on P lain tiffs claim for in vasion of
privacy b a se d on com m on law rig h t of pu b licity are:
(1)

W h eth er D efen d an ts, in p o stin g th e VIDEO on

G aw ker.com , u s e d P lain tiffs n a m e or lik en ess for a
com m ercial or ad v ertisin g p u rp o se; a n d , if so,

(2)

W h eth er Plaintiff gave h is c o n se n t to D efen d an ts to u s e

h is im age or lik eness.

I will now define som e of th e se te rm s for you. U sing a n o th e rs

n am e or im age for a com m ercial or ad v ertisin g p u rp o se m e a n s
u s in g th e n am e o r im age to directly prom ote a p ro d u c t or service
o th e r th a n th e p u b licatio n in w hich th e n am e or im age is u se d . In
o th e r w ords, to find th a t th e D efen d an ts u s e d P lain tiffs n am e or
lik en ess for a com m ercial or ad v ertisin g p u rp o se , you m u s t find
th a t h is n am e or lik en ess w as u s e d to prom ote so m eth in g o th e r th e
D e fe n d a n ts own p u b lication.

50

INSTRUCTION # 2 5
ISSUES ON INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
The is s u e s for y o u to decide on P lain tiffs claim for in te n tio n a l
infliction of em o tio n al d is tre ss are:
(1)

W h eth er

th e

o u tra g e o u s

D efen d an ts
conduct

in

engaged

in

p o stin g

th e

extrem e
VIDEO

and
on

G aw ker.com ; a n d , if so,
(2)

W h eth er th e D efen d an ts acted e ith e r w ith th e in te n t to

c a u se Plaintiff severe em otional d istre ss, or a c te d w ith
reck less d isreg a rd of th e high p robability of c a u sin g
Plaintiff severe em otional d istre ss; a n d , if so,

(3)

W h eth er

P laintiff in

fact

suffered

severe

em otional

d istre ss; an d , if so
(4)

W h eth er th a t extrem e a n d o u tra g e o u s c o n d u c t w as a

legal c a u se of severe em otional d istre ss.

I will now define som e of th e se te rm s for you now:

E xtrem e a n d o u tra g e o u s c o n d u c t is behavior, w hich, u n d e r
th e c irc u m sta n c e s, goes well beyond all possible b o u n d s of decency
a n d is reg ard ed a s shocking, atro cio u s, a n d u tte rly in to lerab le in a
civilized com m unity.

51

E m otional d is tre s s is severe w hen it is of s u c h in te n sity or

d u ra tio n th a t no o rd in a iy p e rso n sh o u ld be expected to e n d u re it.
Legal ca u se generally:
E xtrem e a n d o u tra g e o u s co n d u c t is a legal c a u se of severe a n d
em otional d is tre s s if it directly a n d in n a tu ra l a n d c o n tin u o u s
seq u en ce p ro d u c es or c o n trib u te s s u b sta n tia lly to p ro d u c in g su c h
severe em otional d istre ss, so th a t is c a n re a so n a b ly be sa id th a t,
b u t for th e extrem e a n d o u tra g e o u s co n d u c t, th e severe em otional
d istre ss w ould n o t have o ccu rred .
Concurring cause:
In o rd er to be reg ard ed a s a legal c a u se of severe em otional
d istre ss, extrem e a n d o u tra g e o u s c o n d u c t n eed n o t be th e only
ca u se.

E xtrem e a n d o u tra g e o u s c o n d u c t m ay be a legal c a u se of

severe em otional d is tre s s even th o u g h it o p erates in co m b in atio n

w ith som e o th e r c a u se if th e extrem e a n d o u tra g e o u s co n d u c t
c o n trib u te s

s u b sta n tia lly

to

p ro d u c in g

su ch

severe

em otional

d istre ss.

52

INSTRUCTION # 2 6
VIOLATION OF FLORIDA SECURITY OF COMMUNICATIONS ACT
The is s u e s for y o u to decide on P lain tiffs claim for violation of
F lo rid as S ecu rity of C o m m u n icatio n s Act are:
(1)

W h eth er th e oral c o m m u n icatio n s of Plaintiff co n tain ed

o n th e VIDEO w ere recorded w ith o u t h is know ledge or
co n sen t; a n d , if so,

(2)

W h eth er P laintiff h a d a re aso n ab le ex p ectatio n th a t h is

oral co m m u n icatio n s w ere n o t being recorded; a n d , if so,

(3)

W h eth er D efen d an ts k n ew o r h a d re a so n to know th a t

th o se oral co m m u n icatio n s w ere reco rd ed w ith o u t h is
know ledge o r co n sen t; a n d , if so,

(4)

W h eth er th e D efen d an ts in ten tio n ally disclosed or u s e d

th o se oral co m m u n icatio n s; an d , if so,

(5)

W h eth er Plaintiff suffered a c tu a l d am ag es a s a re s u lt of

d e fe n d a n ts

d isclo su re

or

use

of

th e

oral

c o m m u n ic a tio n s.
For a co n v ersatio n to qualify a s a n oral c o m m u n ic a tio n ,
th e p lain tiff m u s t have a n a c tu a l subjective exp ectatio n of privacy,
a n d society m u s t be p re p a re d to recognize th e ex p ectatio n as
re a so n a b le u n d e r th e c irc u m sta n c e s.

W here b o th elem en ts are

p re se n t, th e s ta tu te h a s b een violated w h e th e r th e in tercep ted

53

co m m u n icatio n is p riv ate in n a tu re or not.

A significant factor in

d eterm in in g th e re a so n a b le n e ss of th e ex p ectatio n of privacy is th e

lo catio n in w h ich th e co n v ersatio n occurs.

54

INSTRUCTION # 2 7
BURDEN OF PROOF
If th e g re ater w eight of th e evidence does n o t su p p o rt P lain tiffs
claim s, y o u r v erd ict sh o u ld be for D efen d an ts.
However, if th e g re a te r w eight of th e evidence s u p p o rts
P lain tiffs claim s, th e n y o u sh a ll co n sid er th e d efen ses ra ise d by
D efen d an ts.

If th e g re a te r w eight of th e evidence s u p p o rts th e

d efen ses, y o u r v erd ict sh o u ld be for D efen d an ts.

However, if th e

g re a te r w eight of th e evidence does n o t su p p o rt th e d efenses, y o u r

v erd ict will be for P laintiff a n d you will co n sid er th e issu e of
dam ag es.

55

INSTRUCTION # 2 8
LEGITIMATE PUBLIC CONCERN
The issu e of legitim ate p u b lic c o n c ern or n ew sw o rth in e ss is
a n elem en t of P lain tiffs claim for p u b licatio n of private facts, a s well
a s a F irst A m en d m en t defense ra ise d by D efen d an ts to e a c h of
P lain tiffs claim s. I will now define legitim ate p u b lic concern.
The rig h t of privacy a n d th e rig h t of freedom of th e p re ss are
b o th fu n d a m e n ta l rig h ts, w hich m u s t be b alan ced .

The rig h t to

privacy c a n be outw eighed if a p u b licatio n re la te s to m a tte rs of

legitim ate pu b lic concern.
A m a tte r of pu b lic co n cern is one th a t c a n be fairly co n sid ered
a s relatin g to a n y m a tte r of political, social, or o th e r co n cern to th e
co m m u n ity or th a t is su b je c t to general in te re st a n d co n cern to th e
public.

The

in ap p ro p ria te

m ere

fact th a t

p u b licatio n

c o n ta in s

c o n te n t does n o t rem ove it from

th e

arg u ab ly
realm

of

legitim ate pu b lic in terest.

In w eighing th is issu e , you sh o u ld tak e into a c c o u n t th e
co n ten t, co n tex t a n d form of th e m aterial a t th e tim e of p u b licatio n
to d eterm in e w h e th e r it re la te s to a m a tte r of public concern. The
line betw een th e rig h t to privacy a n d th e freedom of th e p re ss is
d raw n w here th e p u b licatio n ce ases to be th e giving of inform ation
to w hich th e pu b lic is entitled, a n d becom es a m orbid a n d

56

se n sa tio n a l prying into private lives for its own sak e, w ith w hich a
re a so n a b le m em b er of th e public, w ith d ec en t s ta n d a rd s , w ould say
th a t h e or sh e h a d no concern.

57

INSTRUCTION # 2 9
GOOD FAITH DEFENSE
D efen d an ts have a s s e rte d a good fa ith defense w hich applies
only to P lain tiffs claim u n d e r F lo rid as S ecu rity of C om m u n icatio n s
Act. If you find th a t th e D efen d an ts relied in good faith on a good
faith d eterm in atio n

th a t th e ir c o n d u c t in disclosing th e

oral

co m m u n icatio n s of P laintiff co n tain ed on th e V ideo w as lawful,

th e n th ey have a com plete defense to th is claim .

58

INSTRUCTION # 3 0
DAMAGES: INTRODUCTION
If y o u r v erd ict is for d e fe n d a n ts, you will n o t co n sid er th e
m a tte r of d am ag es. B u t if th e g re a te r w eight of th e evidence
s u p p o rts a n y of p la in tiffs claim s, you sh o u ld d eterm in e a n d w rite
on th e v erd ict form , in d ollars, th e to tal a m o u n t of loss, injury, or
dam ag e w hich th e g re ater w eight of th e evidence show s will fairly
a n d ad e q u ately co m p en sa te p laintiff for h is loss, injury, or dam age.

59

INSTRUCTION # 3 1
DAMAGES
If you find for Plaintiff, y o u sh a ll co n sid er th e following
elem en ts of dam ag e so u g h t by Plaintiff:
1.

O n th e claim s for in v asio n of privacy by p u b licatio n of

private facts, in tru s io n u p o n seclu sio n , in te n tio n a l infliction of

em otional d istre ss, a n d violation of th e F lorida S ecurity
C o m m u n icatio n s Act, y o u m ay aw ard a n a m o u n t of m oney th a t th e
g re ater w eight of th e evidence show s will fairly a n d ad eq u ately
co m p en sa te P laintiff for th e em otional d istre ss he experienced a s a
co n seq u en ce of th e p u b licatio n of th e Video. T here is no exact
s ta n d a rd for fixing th e co m p en sa tio n to be aw ard ed on a c c o u n t of
s u c h elem en ts of dam age. Any aw ard sh o u ld be fair a n d j u s t in
light of th e evidence. T his is th e only d am age you c a n aw ard for
th e se claim s.
If y o u find for P laintiff on h is claim for p u b licatio n of private
facts a n d /o r in tru s io n u p o n seclu sio n , b u t find th a t no s u c h
d am ag es have b een proved, you m ay aw ard n o m in al dam ages.
N om inal d am ag es are d am ag es of a n in co n seq u e n tial a m o u n t w hich
are aw ard ed to vindicate a rig h t w here a w rong is e sta b lish e d b u t
no dam ag e is proved.
2.

On

th e

claim

for m isap p ro p riatio n

of th e

rig h t of

publicity, y o u m ay aw ard a n a m o u n t of m oney th a t th e g re ater

w eight of th e evidence show s will fairly a n d a d e q u ately co m p en sate
Plaintiff for a n y econom ic d am ag es re la tin g to th e p u b licatio n of th e

60

Video. T here is no ex act s ta n d a rd for fixing th e co m p en sa tio n to be

aw ard ed on a c c o u n t of su c h elem en ts of dam age.

Any aw ard

sh o u ld be fair a n d j u s t in light of th e evidence.

61

INSTRUCTION # 3 2
LIABILITY OF MULTIPLE TORTFEASORS
If y o u

find

for p laintiff a g a in st m ore

th a n

one

of th e

d efen d an ts, you sh o u ld a s s e s s p la in tiffs d am ag es in a single

a m o u n t a g a in st th e d e fe n d a n ts w hom you find to be liable to
plaintiff.

62

INSTRUCTION # 3 3
MULTIPLE CLAIMS, NUMEROUS PARTIES,
CONSOLIDATED CASES
In y o u r d elib eratio n s, you will c o n sid er a n d decide five d istin c t
claim s.

T hey in clu d e 1) P ub licatio n of Private F acts; 2) In tru sio n

U pon S eclusion; 3) M isap p ro p riatio n of th e R ight of Publicity;

4) In te n tio n a l Infliction of E m otional D istress; a n d 5) violation of th e
F lorida S ecu rity of C o m m u n icatio n s Act.

A lthough th e se claim s

have b een tried to g eth er, e a c h is se p a ra te from th e o th ers, a n d ea ch

p a rty is en titled to have you se p a ra te ly co n sid er e a c h claim a s it
affects th a t p arty .

Therefore, in y o u r d elib eratio n s, you sh o u ld

co n sid er th e evidence a s it re la te s to e a c h claim sep arately , a s you

w ould h a d ea ch claim b een tried before you separately.

63

INSTRUCTION # 3 4
PUNITIVE DAMAGES BIFURCATED PROCEDURE
First sta g e o f bifurcated p u n itive d a m a g es procedure:
T here is a n ad d itio n al claim in th is case th a t you m u s t decide.
If you find for th e Plaintiff a n d a g a in st one of m ore D efen d an ts, you
m u s t decide w h eth er,

in

ad d itio n

to

co m p en sato ry d am ages,

p u n itiv e d am ag es are w a rra n te d a s p u n is h m e n t to one or m ore of

th e d e fe n d a n ts a n d a s a d e te rre n t to o th ers.
The trial of th e p u n itive d am ag es issu e is divided into two
p a rts . In th is first p a rt, y ou will decide w h e th e r th e c o n d u c t of th e
D efen d an ts is s u c h th a t punitive d am ag es are w a rra n te d . If you
decide th a t punitive d am ag es are w a rra n te d , we will proceed to th e
seco n d p a rt of th a t issu e d u rin g w hich th e p a rtie s m ay p re se n t
ad d itio n al evidence a n d a rg u m e n t on th e issu e of pun itiv e dam ages.
I will th e n give y o u ad d itio n al in stru c tio n s, a fte r w hich y o u will
decide w h eth er, in y o u r d iscretio n , pun itiv e d am ag es will be
a s s e s s e d an d , if so, th e am o u n t.
Punitive d a m a g es fo r acts o f a n individual defendant:
P laintiff claim s th a t punitive d am ag es sh o u ld be aw ard ed
a g a in st d efen d an ts for in ten tio n ally or reck lessly p o stin g th e V ideo
on

G aw ker.com .

Punitive

d am ag es

are

w a rra n te d

a g a in st

d e fe n d a n ts if y o u find by clear a n d convincing evidence th a t they

64

w ere guilty of in te n tio n a l m isc o n d u c t w hich w as a s u b s ta n tia l

c a u se

of loss,

in ju ry

or

dam age

to

plaintiff.

U n d er

th o se

c irc u m sta n c e s you m ay, in y o u r discretion, aw ard pun itiv e d am ag es

a g a in s t one o r all of d efen d an ts. If clear a n d convincing evidence
does n o t show s u c h c o n d u c t by d e fe n d a n ts, pun itiv e d am ag es are
n o t w a rra n te d .

Y our d eterm in atio n to aw ard punitive d am ag es to

Plaintiff m u s t be b a se d on a c tu a l h a rm suffered by him . You m ay

n o t p u n is h D efen d an ts for h a rm suffered by anyone else. W hen
d eterm in in g th e a m o u n t, if any, of p u n itiv e d am ag es to be aw arded,
you m ay n o t im pose p u n itive d am ag e s to p u n is h a d e fe n d a n t for
h a rm s c a u se d to o th e rs w hose c a se s are n o t before you.
In ten tio n al m isc o n d u c t m e a n s th a t a d e fe n d a n t h a d a c tu a l
know ledge of th e w ro n g fu lness of th e c o n d u c t a n d th e re w as a high
pro b ab ility of in ju ry or d am age to p laintiff a n d , d esp ite th a t
know ledge, d e fe n d a n t in ten tio n ally p u rs u e d th a t co u rse of co n d u ct,
re su ltin g in in ju ry o r dam age.
C lear a n d convincing evidence differs from th e g re ater
w eight of th e evidence in th a t it is m ore com pelling a n d p ersu asiv e.
As I have alread y in s tru c te d you, g re ater w eight of th e evidence
m e a n s th e m ore p e rsu a siv e a n d convincing force a n d effect of th e
en tire evidence in th e case.

65

Direct liability fo r acts o f m anaging agent, prim ary owner, or

certain others:
Plaintiff claim s th a t punitive d am ag es sh o u ld be aw arded
a g a in st G aw ker M edia, LLC for th e a c ts of Nick D enton a n d A.J.
D aulerio.

P unitive d am ag es are w a rra n te d a g a in st G aw ker M edia,

LLC if y o u find by clear a n d convincing evidence th a t Nick D enton

or A .J. D aulerio w ere p erso n ally guilty of in te n tio n a l m isc o n d u c t
w h ich w as a s u b s ta n tia l c a u se of loss, in ju ry o r d am age to plaintiff.
U n d er th o se c irc u m sta n c e s you m ay, in y o u r d iscretio n , aw ard
p u n itiv e d am ag es a g a in st G aw ker M edia, LLC.

If clear a n d

convincing evidence does n o t show s u c h c o n d u c t by Nick D en to n or

A .J. D aulerio, p u n itiv e d am ag es are n o t w a rra n te d a g a in st G aw ker
M edia, LLC.
Vicarious liability fo r acts o f em ployee:
P laintiff claim s th a t punitive d am ag es sh o u ld be aw arded
a g a in st A .J. D aulerio a n d G aw ker M edia, LLC for A .J. D au lerio s
co n d u ct.

Punitive d am ag es are w a rra n te d a g a in st A .J. D aulerio if

you find by clear a n d convincing evidence th a t A .J. D aulerio w as

p erso n ally guilty of in te n tio n a l m isc o n d u c t w hich w as a s u b s ta n tia l
c a u se

of loss,

in ju ry

or dam age

to

plaintiff.

U n d er th o se

c irc u m sta n c e s you m ay, in y o u r discretion, aw ard punitive d am ag es

a g a in st A .J. D aulerio. If clear a n d convincing evidence does n o t

66

show s u c h c o n d u c t by A.J. D aulerio, pun itiv e d am ag es a re n o t

w a rra n te d a g a in st e ith e r A .J. D aulerio or G aw ker M edia, LLC.
If you find th a t p u n itiv e d am ag es are w a rra n te d a g a in st A.J.
D aulerio y o u m ay also, in y o u r d iscretion, aw ard punitive d am ag es
a g a in s t G aw ker M edia, LLC if you find from clear a n d convincing
evidence th a t:
(A)

. G aw ker M edia, LLC actively a n d know ingly p a rtic ip a te d

in s u c h co n d u c t of A .J. D aulerio; or
(B)

. th e officers, d irecto rs o r m a n a g e rs of G aw ker M edia, LLC

know ingly cond o n ed , ratified, o r c o n se n te d to s u c h c o n d u c t of A.J.

D aulerio; or
(C)

. G aw ker M edia, LLC engaged in co n d u c t th a t c o n stitu te d

g ro ss negligence a n d th a t c o n trib u te d to th e loss, d am age or in ju ry

to plaintiff.
If clear a n d convincing evidence does n o t show s u c h co n d u c t
by G aw ker M edia, LLC p u n itiv e d am ag es are n o t w a rra n te d a g a in st
G aw ker M edia, LLC.
Second sta g e o f bifurcated p u n itive d a m a g e procedure:
O pening instruction, second stage:
M em bers of th e ju ry , I am now going to tell you a b o u t th e
ru le s of law th a t ap p ly to d eterm in in g w h e th e r pun itiv e d am ag es
sh o u ld be a s s e s s e d a n d , if so, in w h a t a m o u n t. W hen I finish w ith

67

th e se in stru c tio n s, th e p a rtie s will p re se n t ad d itio n al evidence. You

sh o u ld co n sid er th is ad d itio n al evidence along w ith th e evidence
alread y p re se n te d , a n d you sh o u ld decide an y d isp u te d factu al
is s u e s by th e g re ater w eight of th e evidence. G reater w eight of th e
evidence m e a n s th e m ore p ersu a siv e a n d convincing force a n d
effect of th e en tire evidence in th e case.
Punitive d a m a g es determ ination o f am ount:
You are to decide th e a m o u n t of punitive d am ages, if any, to
be a s s e s s e d a s p u n is h m e n t a g a in st d e fe n d a n ts a n d a s a d e te rre n t
to o th ers. T his a m o u n t w ould be in ad d itio n to th e co m p en sato ry
d am ag es

you

have

previously

aw arded.

In

m ak in g

th is

d eterm in atio n , you sh o u ld co n sid er th e following:

(A),

th e n a tu re , ex ten t a n d degree of m isc o n d u c t a n d th e

re la te d c irc u m sta n c e s, in clu d in g th e following:

i.

w h e th e r th e w rongful c o n d u c t w as m otivated solely by

u n re a s o n a b le financial gain;
ii.

w h e th e r th e

u n re a so n a b ly

d a n g e ro u s

n a tu re

of th e

co n d u c t, to g eth er w ith th e high likelihood of in ju ry re su ltin g from

th e co n d u c t, w as a c tu a lly know n by d efen d an ts;
iii.

w h eth e r, a t th e tim e of th e loss, in ju ry or dam age to

plaintiff, th e d e fe n d a n ts h a d a specific in te n t to h a rm p laintiff a n d

th e c o n d u c t of d e fe n d a n ts did in fact h a rm plaintiff, a n d

68

(B). th e fin an cial re so u rc e s of d e fen d an ts; a n d

You

m ay

in

your

d iscretio n

decline

to

assess

punitive

d am ag es. You m ay a s s e s s pun itiv e d am ag es a g a in st one d efen d an t

a n d n o t th e other[s] or a g a in st m ore th a n one d efen d an t. Punitive
d am ag es m ay be a s s e s s e d a g a in st different d e fe n d a n ts in different
a m o u n ts.
Closing instruction, second stage:
M em bers of th e ju iy , y o u have now h e a rd a n d received all of
th e evidence o n th e issu e of pun itiv e dam ag es. Y our v erdict on th e
is s u e s ra ise d by th e p u n itiv e d am ag es claim of p lain tiff a g a in st
d e fe n d a n ts m u s t be b a se d o n th e evidence th a t h a s b ee n received
d u rin g th e trial of th e first p h a se of th is case a n d on th e evidence
th a t h a s b ee n received in th e se proceedings a n d th e law on w hich I
have in s tru c te d you. In reach in g y o u r verdict, you are n o t to be
sw ayed

from

th e

p erfo rm ance

of y o u r d u ty by p reju d ice

or

sy m p ath y for or a g a in s t an y party.

Y our v erd ict m u s t be u n a n im o u s, th a t is, y o u r verdict m u s t be
agreed to by ea ch of you.
You will be given a form of verdict, w hich I sh all now re a d to
you:

69

W hen you have agreed on y o u r verdict, th e forem an or

forew om an, actin g for th e ju ry , sh o u ld d ate a n d sign th e verdict.
You m ay now retire to co n sid er y o u r verdict.

70

INSTRUCTION # 3 5
WEIGHING THE EVIDENCE
In deciding th is case, it is y o u r d u ty a s ju ro rs [to decide th e
issu e s, a n d only th o se iss u e s, th a t I su b m it for y o u r d eterm ination]
[to a n sw e r c e rta in q u e stio n s I a s k y o u to a n sw e r on a special form ,
called a v erd ict form]. You m u s t com e to a n ag reem en t a b o u t [your
verdict] [w hat y o u r a n sw e rs will be. Y our a g reed -u p o n an sw e rs to
m y q u e stio n s are called y o u r ju iy verdict].
The evidence in th is case co n sists of th e sw orn testim o n y of
th e w itn esses, all ex h ib its received in evidence [and] all facts th a t
w ere ad m itte d or ag reed to by th e p a rtie s [, a n d an y fact of w hich
th e c o u rt h a s ta k e n ju d icial notice (explain a s necessary)].
In reach in g y o u r verdict, you m u s t th in k a b o u t a n d w eigh th e
testim o n y a n d an y d o cu m en ts, p h o to g rap h s, or o th e r m a te ria l th a t
h a s b een received in evidence. You m ay also co n sid er a n y facts th a t
w ere ad m itte d or ag reed to by th e law yers. Y our jo b is to d eterm in e
w h a t th e facts are. You m ay u s e re a so n a n d com m on se n se to re a c h
co n clu sio n s.

You

m ay

d raw

re a so n a b le

inferences

from

th e

evidence. B u t y o u sh o u ld n o t g u e ss a b o u t th in g s th a t w ere n o t
covered here. And, y o u m u s t alw ays apply th e law a s I have
ex p lained it to you.

71

INSTRUCTION # 3 6
BELIEVABILITY OF WITNESSES
General considerations:
Let m e sp e a k briefly a b o u t w itn esses. In ev alu atin g th e
believability of an y w itn ess a n d th e w eight you will give th e
testim o n y of a n y w itn ess, you m ay properly co n sid er th e d em ean o r
of th e w itn ess while testifying; th e fra n k n e ss or lack of fra n k n e ss of
th e w itness; th e intelligence of th e w itness; an y in te re st th e w itn ess
m ay have in th e outcom e of th e case; th e m e a n s a n d o p p o rtu n ity
th e w itn ess h a d to know th e facts a b o u t w hich th e w itn ess testified;
th e ability of th e w itn ess to re m em b er th e m a tte rs a b o u t w hich th e
w itn ess testified; a n d th e re a so n a b le n e ss of th e testim o n y of th e
w itn ess, co n sid ered in th e light of all th e evidence in th e case a n d in
th e light of y o u r own experience a n d com m on sen se.
E xpert w itn esses:
[You have h e a rd
subjects] from

opinion testim o n y

[a person]

[on ce rtain tech n ica l

[persons] referred to a s

[an] expert

w itn e sse s].] [Some of th e testim o n y before you w as in th e form of

o pinions a b o u t ce rtain tech n ica l subjects.]
You m ay ac cep t s u c h opinion testim ony, reject it, or give it th e
w eight you th in k it deserves, co n sid erin g th e know ledge, skill,
experience, train in g , o r e d u c a tio n of th e w itn ess, th e re a so n s given

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by th e w itn ess for th e opinion ex p ressed , a n d all th e o th e r evidence

in th e case.

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INSTRUCTION # 3 7
CONCLUDING INSTRUCTION (BEFORE FINAL ARGUMENT)
T h a t is th e law y o u m u s t follow in deciding th is case. The
a tto rn e y s for th e p a rtie s will now p re se n t th e ir final a rg u m e n ts.
W hen th ey are th ro u g h , I will have a few final in s tru c tio n s a b o u t
y o u r delib eratio n s.

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INSTRUCTION # 3 8
CLOSING INSTRUCTIONS
M em bers of th e ju iy , you have now h e a rd all th e evidence, m y
in s tru c tio n s on th e law th a t you m u s t apply in reach in g y o u r
v erd ict a n d th e closing a rg u m e n ts of th e atto rn ey s. You will sh o rtly
retire to th e ju ry room to decide th is case. [Before you do so, I have
a few la s t in s tru c tio n s for you.]
D u rin g d elib eratio n s, ju ro rs m u s t co m m u n icate a b o u t th e
case only w ith one a n o th e r a n d only w h en all ju ro rs are p re se n t in
th e ju ry room . You will have in th e ju ry room all of th e evidence
th a t w as received d u rin g th e trial. In reach in g y o u r decision, do n o t
do a n y re se a rc h on y o u r ow n or a s a group. Do n o t u s e d ictionaries,
th e In tern et, or an y o th e r reference m aterials. Do n o t investigate th e
case o r c o n d u c t a n y ex p erim en ts. Do n o t visit or view th e scen e of
a n y ev en t involved in th is case or look a t m a p s or p ic tu re s on th e
In tern et. If y o u h a p p e n to p a s s by th e scene, do n o t sto p or
investigate. All ju ro rs m u s t see or h e a r th e sam e evidence a t th e
sam e tim e. Do n o t read , liste n to, or w atc h a n y new s a c c o u n ts of
th is trial.
You are n o t to co m m u n icate w ith a n y p e rso n o u tsid e th e ju ry
a b o u t th is case. U ntil y o u have re ach ed a verdict, you m u s t n o t ta lk
a b o u t th is case in p e rso n or th ro u g h th e telep h o n e, w riting, or

75

electronic co m m u n icatio n , s u c h a s a blog, tw itter, e-m ail, tex t

m essag e, o r a n y o th e r m ean s. Do n o t c o n ta c t anyone to a s s is t you,
such

as

fam ily

a c c o u n ta n t,

doctor,

or

law yer.

T hese

co m m u n icatio n s ru le s ap ply u n til I d isch arg e you a t th e en d of th e

case.
If y o u becom e aw are of a n y violation of th e se in stru c tio n s or
a n y o th e r in s tru c tio n I have given in th is case, you m u s t tell m e by
giving a n o te to th e bailiff.
Any n o te s y o u have ta k e n d u rin g th e trial m ay be ta k e n to th e
ju ry room for u s e d u rin g y o u r d isc u ssio n s. Y our n o tes are sim ply
a n aid to y o u r ow n m em ory, a n d n e ith e r y o u r n o tes n o r th o se of
an y o th e r ju ro r are b in d in g or conclusive. Your n o te s are n o t a
s u b s titu te for y o u r ow n m em ory or th a t of o th e r ju ro rs . In stea d ,
y o u r v erd ict m u s t re s u lt from th e collective m em ory a n d ju d g m e n t
of all ju ro rs b a se d on th e evidence a n d testim o n y p re se n te d d u rin g
th e trial.
At th e co n clu sio n of th e trial, th e bailiff will collect all of y o u r
n o tes a n d im m ediately d estro y them . No one will ever re ad y o u r
no tes.
In reach in g y o u r verdict, do n o t let b ias, sy m p ath y , prejudice,
p u b lic opinion, or a n y o th e r se n tim e n t for or a g a in st an y p a rty to

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influence y o u r decision. Y our verdict m u s t be b a se d on th e evidence

th a t h a s b ee n received a n d th e law on w hich I have in s tru c te d you.
R eaching a v erd ict is exclusively y o u r job. I c a n n o t p articip ate
in th a t decision in a n y w ay a n d you sh o u ld n o t g u e ss w h a t I th in k
y o u r v erd ict sh o u ld be from so m eth in g I m ay have said o r done.
You sh o u ld n o t th in k th a t I prefer one verdict over a n o th er.
T herefore, in reach in g y o u r verdict, you sh o u ld n o t co n sid er
a n y th in g

th a t

I have

said

or done,

except for m y

specific

in s tru c tio n s to you.

Pay carefu l a tte n tio n to all th e in s tru c tio n s th a t I gave you, for
th a t is th e law th a t y o u m u s t follow. You will have a copy of m y
in s tru c tio n s w ith y o u w h en y o u go to th e ju ry room to deliberate.
All th e in s tru c tio n s are im p o rta n t, a n d you m u s t c o n sid er all of
th e m to gether. T here are no o th e r law s th a t ap p ly to th is case, a n d
even if you do n o t agree w ith th e se law s, you m u s t u s e th e m in
reach in g y o u r decision in th is case.
W hen y o u go to th e ju ry room , th e first th in g you sh o u ld do is
choose a p resid in g ju ro r to a c t a s a foreperson d u rin g y o u r
d elib eratio n s. The fo rep erson sh o u ld see to it th a t y o u r d isc u ssio n s
are orderly a n d th a t everyone h a s a fair c h a n ce to be h eard .
It is y o u r d u ty to ta lk w ith one a n o th e r in th e ju ry room a n d to
co n sid er th e views of all th e ju ro rs . E ach of you m u s t decide th e

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case for yourself, b u t only after you have co n sid ered th e evidence
w ith th e o th e r m em b ers of th e ju ry . Feel free to ch an g e y o u r m in d if
you are convinced th a t y o u r position sh o u ld be different. You
sh o u ld all tiy to agree. B u t do n o t give u p y o u r h o n e st beliefs j u s t
b e c a u se th e o th e rs th in k differently. Keep a n open m ind so th a t you
a n d y o u r fellow ju ro rs c a n easily s h a re id eas a b o u t th e case.
[I will give you a v erd ict form w ith q u e stio n s you m u s t answ er.
I have alread y in s tru c te d you on th e law th a t you are to u s e in
an sw erin g th e se q u estio n s. You m u s t follow m y in stru c tio n s a n d
th e form carefully. You m u s t co n sid er ea ch q u estio n separately.
Please a n sw e r th e q u e stio n s in th e o rd er th ey ap p e ar. After you
a n sw e r a q u estio n , th e form tells y o u w h a t to do next. I will now
re a d th e form to you: (read form of verdict)]
[You will be given (state nu m b er) form s of verdict, w h ich I sh all
now re a d to you: (read form of verdict(s))]
[If you find for plaintiff, y o u r verdict will be in th e following
form: (read form of verdict)]
[If y o u find for (defendant(s)), y o u r verdict will be in th e
following form: (read form of verdict)]
Y our verdict[s] m u s t be u n a n im o u s, th a t is, y o u r verdict m u s t
be agreed to by ea ch of you. W hen you have [agreed on y o u r
verdict[s]] [finished filling o u t th e form[s]], y o u r fo reperson m u s t

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w rite th e d ate a n d sign it a t th e b ottom a n d re tu rn th e verdict[s] to

th e bailiff.
If a n y of you n eed to co m m u n icate w ith m e for an y reaso n ,
w rite m e a n ote a n d give it to th e bailiff. In y o u r note, do n o t
disclose an y vote o r sp lit or th e re a so n for th e co m m unication.
You m ay now retire to decide y o u r verdict[s].

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