A defamation suit against the Dixie Chicks has been moved to federal court.Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of three 8-year-old Arkansas boys killed 15 years ago, filed suit against the band in an Arkansas circuit court last year. His claims stem from statements made by lead singer Natalie Maines at a 2007 rally for the three men convicted of the killings. Hobbs claims Maines, who supports a reopening of the case, unjustly accused him of involvement in the murders. He also cited a letter posted on the Chicks' website about "new information" in the murders, including DNA tests showing that one of Hobbs' hairs was found on one of the victims.
Those claims will now be heard before a higher court. Attorneys filed notice last week of the move to federal court, contending that federal jurisdiction applies because the parties are from different states and because the amount of damages being sought is likely to exceed $75,000.
Lawyers for the Dixie Chicks said the singers' statements were made in good faith, without malice, against a man who has become a public figure because of the notoriety of the criminal case. Under the law, a public figure has a higher burden of proof and must show that defamatory statements were made with "actual malice," either known to be false or issued with reckless disregard for the truth. Maines' lawyers also argue her statements were an exercise of free speech under the First Amendment.
Christopher Byers, Michael Moore, and Hobb's stepson Steve Branch were found dead in a ditch near their West Memphis, Ark. neighborhoods in 1993. Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, then teenagers, were convicted of the killings. Echols is on death row; Baldwin and Misskelley are serving prison sentences. To supporters who say the three men were wrongly convicted, the men are known as "The West Memphis Three."
Reader Comments(1 of 30)
dave miedemaat 1-13-2009
Natalie has a long history of shooting her mouth off to denigrate others...I still haven't forgiven her for her anti-George Bush comments in Europe. I hope she gets taken to the cleaners in this lawsuit.
Dave Miedema
Chicago IL
Natalie's an embarrassment to Dixie!
mnorris149at 1-13-2009
Yes Bush has done such a good job as our president, how dare anyone criticize him. Or as he would say "I'm a good jober doer!"
Keep on practicing your right to free speech Natalie! No more blind leading the blind!
Mike Crippsat 1-13-2009
Dave, When was Chicago in Dixie?
Willat 1-13-2009
I agree with you. Too many times does she shoot her mouth off and then when she is expected to take responibility for what she says, she runs crying under "First Amendment. Freedom of Speech" umbrella. Not that you would ever read this, Ms. Mianes, but as an adult you need to take responsibility for your owrds as well as actions!
Louiseat 1-13-2009
What Natalie said about Bush was much more innocent then what YOU just said about HER! Maybe the whole country should boycott you. How childish we are as a nation to let someones freedom of speech impact not only her carrer, but her two band mates as well. Grow up!
agutwaksat 1-13-2009
I agree that Natalie speaks too quickly but her comments on George Bush were right on target !!
beadcat49at 1-13-2009
Quit whining and get over it. There's been much worse said about Obama than what she said about Bush. And the fact is, she was talking about a man who most likely murdered 3 little boys and framed 3 teenagers for it. He also most likely killed his wife when she figured out that HE was the one who killed her son. Thank God SOMEONE is helping to keep this case alive.
markhbeckat 1-13-2009
totally agree with you Dave. I am so sick and tired of the Bushphobia-suffering celebraties. Maines is certainly one of the biggest ones. She shot her mouth off not only in the wrong place, but at the wrong time. Hope she gets taken to the cleaners.
jmack704at 1-13-2009
Well I think Bush is the embarrasment to our country. Gotta love republicans.. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carolat 1-14-2009
You are so right!! She needs to learn how to keep her opinions to herself. But we all know that won't happen.
lassarinaat 1-14-2009
I am tired of hearing about her freedom of speech. I have no problem with freedom of speech, I am a firm supporter, but there is a time and a place. It's one thing to say as you will here, among fellow American's. It is something else entirely to go overseas and make derogatory comments about the leader of the country she calls home. It's not only rude, it's tacky, just like her.
What's this article doing in the country music secion anyway, considering she so obviously turned her back on country music and has stated time and time again even before she shot her mouth off that she never wanted to sing country? She can keep the obligatory grammy they handed her out of pity and keep herself in CA where she belongs, away from the south. We certainly don't need her here.
And anyone who wants to blast me for being an uneducated Southerner, you are completely wrong in your assumption. I am simply excorsizing my right of free speech as an American citizen.
Cynthiaat 1-14-2009
I met Natalie once. She is a loud mouth, who has "no filter." That's upbringing...Yes, she has a right to free speech, as we also have the right to react to what she says. She's simply a polarizing, rude, and ignorant human being. Her celebrity "gives" her the platform. She's chose unwisely to use it to her disadvantage.
Sad really, because the Dixie Chicks were on top of the world.
jansimplyat 1-14-2009
Dave, I agree with you. Natalie started all this hating Bush and it festered into a disease. Bush did not deserve then what damage she did and he darn well doesn't deserve the hate she caused up until the end. She may be proud of herself but the fact that her popularity tanking and people smashing her records left and right proves the majority doesn't agree with her. She doesn't even care about the damage she has done to people's moral in this country. All of this because Bush promised after 9/11 he'd do his best to keep us safe and he has done exactly that despite people like her who just love to blame others for their own deficiency. It is a shame she used such talent so she could degrade others. Let her rot in her own problems. I hope it cost her all of any money she has made thus far. Sometimes when it hits your pocketbook, you will open your eyes. She is a liberal who hates everyone who doesn't agree with her like the rest of them do. They believe fame makes them the speaker of all. It went over her head and I'm sure that five minutes of fame overseas cutting our throats made her feel like she had power.
lmotasat 1-14-2009
Anyone can say anything they want anytime or anyplace they want (This is plainly shown in the comments on this page). But to say she started the Bush hating is wrong. I'll clear this up, BUSH started the Bush hating with the job he was doing. Thank Nat for letting us know. Love Ya Dixie Chicks
mrgibson42868at 1-14-2009
Dave,
Absolutely! I really struggled with openly supporting her "right" to criticize the President, especially on foreign soil during a time of war. Can you imagine if an entertainer would have criticized FDR during WW II? Holy crap! Bush is OUR President. That's what makes him President. I didn't vote for Obama, but he will be my President.
I don't buy the whole "she said it without malice" line. I'm soooo tired of the Dixie Chunks.
Keep the faith!!!!
Michael G