Free Speech Bot

@speech.bots.law

194 Followers 0 Following

Real-time updates on the latest free speech cases. Curated by Eugene Volokh. Hosted by @free.law. Also at @free_speech_bot@mastodon.social and @speech_cases on X. Details: https://bots.law/little-cases/free-speech-cases/

Thumbnail of page 1 of the PDF linked above.
The entry's text: Default Judgment AND Enforce AND Enforce AND In Limine - Bar AND In Limine - Bar AND In Limine - Bar AND In Limine - Bar AND In Limine - Bar AND In Limine - Bar AND In Limine - Evidentiary Sanctions AND In Limine - Exclude AND In Limine - Exclude AND In Limine - Exclude AND In Limine - Exclude AND In Limine - Preclude AND Leave to Appear AND Sanctions AND Set Aside Default
The entry's text: Appeal Record Sent to USCA (Electronic File). Certified Indexed record on Appeal Electronic Files for 109 Notice of Appeal, filed by New York Media, LLC, Sammy Sussman, Vox Media, LLC were transmitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals. (tp)
The entry's text: CERTIFICATION of Judgment issued by the Supreme Court of Alabama: NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to Rule 41, Ala. R. App. P., IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this Court's judgment in this cause is certified on this date. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, unless otherwise ordered by this Court or agreed upon by the parties, the costs of this cause are hereby taxed as provided by Rule 35, Ala. R. App. P. (KCW) (Entered: 04/28/2026)
The entry's text: ORDER: Plaintiff Kai Spears moves to compel the production of documents withheld as "source identifying" on Defendant The New York Times Company's Third Amended Privilege Log.1 (Doc. 77 ). The court has reviewed the documents in camera and considered all briefing. After careful review, the court WILL GRANT IN PART and DENY IN PART Mr. Spears's motion to compel. The court ORDERS the Times to produce to Mr. Spears the documents in the third category consistent with the changes noted herein and a Fourth Amended Privilege Log on or before June 4, 2026. The Fourth Amended Privilege Log SHALL provide all known dates and times associated with each document. The Times must provide proof of service, along with a copy of the documents produced and a Fourth Amended Privilege Log to the court on or before June 5, 2026. To the extent the Times seeks reconsideration of any part of the court's ruling, it must file a motion for reconsideration on or before June 1, 2026. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 5/28/2026. (KCW) (Entered: 05/28/2026)
The entry's text: ORDER of the SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA on Certified Questions from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The first question certified by the district court asks: "Is the identity of a source, whose information is published online by a corporation that also publishes a newspaper, protected from compelled disclosure by a court?" Although we initially accepted this certified question, we now decline to answer it. The second question certified by the district court asks: "Does the Shield Statute protect any and all information that could lead to the identification of a source whose identity is protected from compelled disclosure under Alabama's Shield Statute?" The plain language of § 12-21-142 provides that the reporter's privilege protects only "the sources of any information published in the newspaper," and we therefore hold that this privilege applies only to information that would inevitably reveal the identity of a confidential source. FIRST QUESTION DECLINED; SECOND QUESTION ANSWERED. Before Justice McCool; Stewart, C.J., and Wise, Bryan, Cook, and Parker, JJ., concur. Shaw, J., concurs in part and concurs in the result, with opinion, which Sellers, J., joins. Mendheim, J., dissents, with opinion. (KAM) (Entered: 04/10/2026)
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER - The court SETS a Telephone Conference for May 13, 2026, 3:30 PM, before Judge Annemarie Carney Axon. A court reporter will be present. Counsel will receive the numbers needed to join the call by email. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 5/12/26. (SAC) (Entered: 05/12/2026)
The entry's text: MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER: For the reasons stated within, the court DENIES the Times's and Mr. Spears's motions for summary judgment. (Doc. 117 ; doc. 119 ). The court FINDS AS MOOT Mr. Spears's motion to strike. (Doc. 137 ). Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 5/28/2026. (KCW) (Entered: 05/28/2026)
The entry's text: Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Supplemental In Camera Brief by The New York Times Company. (Thompson, John) (Entered: 04/16/2026)
The entry's text: Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Annemarie Carney Axon: Telephone Conference held on 5/13/2026 to address issues re in camera review. Present: Chad Bowman, John Thompson, Jr, and Matthew Winne. (Court Reporter Stone Arledge) (SAC)
The entry's text: Transcript of Proceedings held on 2/17/2026, before Judge Annemarie Carney Axon. Court Reporter/Transcriber B. Stone Arledge, Telephone number (205) 278-2067. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. NOTICE: The parties have seven (7) calendar days to file with the Court a Notice of Intent to Request Redaction of this transcript. If no such Notice is filed, the transcript will be made remotely electronically available to the public without redaction after 90 calendar days. (A copy can be obtained at https://www.alnd.uscourts.gov/sites/alnd/files/forms/Transcript%20Redaction% 20Policy.pdf) See Transcript Redaction Policy Redaction Request due 3/30/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 4/9/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 6/7/2026. (KCW) (Entered: 03/09/2026)
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER: The court GRANTS Defendant The New York Times's unopposed motion for leave to file a supplemental in camera brief. (Doc. 165 ). The motion is due on or before May 5, 2026. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 4/21/2026. (KNS) (Entered: 04/21/2026)
The entry's text: Text Order clarifying that the Teleconference set for 3:30 this afternoon is for the purpose of addressing issues presently before the court on in camera review. Accordingly, counsel for plaintiff SHALL NOT participate. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 5/13/26. (SAC) (Entered: 05/13/2026)
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER - The court RESETS the Status Conference to June 8, 2026, 2:00 PM, Courtroom 6B, Hugo L Black US Courthouse, Birmingham, AL, before Judge Annemarie Carney Axon. A court reporter will be present. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 5/11/26. (SAC) (Entered: 05/11/2026)
The entry's text: Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Annemarie Carney Axon: Status Conference held on 2/17/26. Present: Matt Glover, Stephen New, Chad Bowman, John Thompson, and Matthew Winne; conference adj; written order to follow. (Court Reporter Stone Arledge) (SAC)
The entry's text: (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER AND SCHEDULING NOTICE by Judge Stephen V. Wilson re Motion to Enforce 365 and MOTION to Set Aside Default Re: Order on Motion for Default Judgment filed by Defendant Patrick M. Byrne 369 : The Motions are submitted. Order to issue. The hearings scheduled for 4/13/2026 are VACATED and off calendar. SO ORDERED. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (dta) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 04/10/2026)
Thumbnail of page 1 of the PDF linked above.
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER granting 60 Defendants' Unopposed Motion to Continue Trial Date. The current trial date and final pretrial conference will be continued along with any associated deadlines. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Stephen B. Jackson, Jr. on 2/19/2026. (jeb) (Entered: 02/19/2026)
The entry's text: NOTICE OF FILING TRANSCRIPT filed for proceedings 1/12/2026 at 2:38pm re Transcript 360 THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (mg) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 01/15/2026)
The entry's text: TEXT MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Chief Magistrate Judge Stephen B. Jackson, Jr.: Status Conference held on 1/15/2026. Attorneys Gina Messamer, James Knight & Patrick Jaicomo appeared for plaintiff. Attorney Jason Palmer appeared for defendants. Court Time: 10 minutes. (jeb) (Entered: 01/15/2026)
Thumbnail of page 1 of the PDF linked above.
Thumbnail of page 1 of the PDF linked above.
The entry's text: Default Judgment AND Leave to Appear AND Motion Hearing AND ~Util - Terminate Deadlines and Hearings
Thumbnail of page 1 of the PDF linked above.
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER SETTING STATUS CONFERENCE: A Status Conference will be held by video on January 15, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. before Chief Magistrate Judge Stephen B. Jackson, Jr. A link to join the video conference will be emailed to counsel. Recording or broadcasting of the video conference is prohibited. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Stephen B. Jackson, Jr. on 1/6/2026. (jeb) (Entered: 01/06/2026)
The entry's text: MINUTE ORDER. Plaintiff's 20 unopposed motion for a status conference is denied. Plaintiff does not articulate a basis for a status conference. To the extent any party has an update related to this matter (for example, a supplemental authority, a joint request for referral to mediation, or a notice that all parties consent to referral of the case to a magistrate judge for all purposes in the interest of more expeditious resolution), the parties shall provide that update to the Court via written joint status report. Signed by Judge Amir H. Ali on 6/13/2025. (lcaha3)
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER granting 55 Joint Motion for Status Update. A status conference will be set under a separate order. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Stephen B. Jackson, Jr. on 12/19/2025. (jeb) (Entered: 12/19/2025)
The entry's text: RESPONSE in Opposition re 106 MOTION for Protective Order to Limit the Deposition of its Corporate Representative and Memorandum of Law in Support Thereof filed by Kai Spears. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4)(Glover, R) (Entered: 07/16/2025)
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER: The court GRANTS Defendant The New York Times's motion for leave to file under seal. (Doc. 145 ). The court also ORDERS The Times to file redacted copies of those documents on the docket. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 9/25/2025. (CLC) (Entered: 09/25/2025)
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER: The court GRANTS IN PART and DENIES IN PART Defendant The New York Times Companys motion for protective order. (Doc. 106 ). The court DENIES the motion to the extent it seeks to preclude the Rule 30(b)(6) designee from responding to questions intended to elicit the facts The Times believed were true or substantially true at the time it published the subject article. The court otherwise GRANTS the motion. In addition, the court ORDERS the parties to provide the court with notice of any and all changes in the time or date they expect to depose the designee on Topic 1. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 8/4/2025. (KNS) (Entered: 08/04/2025)
The entry's text: REPLY Brief filed by Defendant The New York Times Company re: 123 Brief in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment filed by The New York Times Company. (Thompson, John) (Entered: 09/19/2025)
The entry's text: ON CERTIFICATION TO THE SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 5/22/2025. (CLC) (Entered: 05/22/2025)
The entry's text: Brief re 121 Evidentiary Material, 119 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment filed by Kai Spears. (Glover, R) (Entered: 08/13/2025)
The entry's text: MOTION for Protective Order to Limit the Deposition of its Corporate Representative and Memorandum of Law in Support Thereof by The New York Times Company. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Thompson, John) (Entered: 07/11/2025)
The entry's text: NOTICE Of Filing Memorandum Of Law Under Seal In Support Of Defendant's Motion For Summary Judgment by The New York Times Company (CLC) (Entered: 09/19/2025)
The entry's text: Joint MOTION to Seal by The New York Times Company. (Winne, Matthew) (Entered: 08/12/2025)
The entry's text: ***Document Sealed: Defendant The New York Time's Company's Memorandum of Law in Opposition To Motion For Partial Summary Judgment. (CLC) (Entered: 09/08/2025)
The entry's text: ***Document Sealed pursuant to Order (Doc. 115)*** Unredacted Brief in Support of 117 by The New York Times Company (Attachments: # 1 Brief) (KNS) (Entered: 08/14/2025)
The entry's text: ORDER- The court ORDERS Defendant to respond to the Board's motion (Doc. 112 ) within fourteen (14) days of the date of this order. The Board may file a reply within seven (7) days of Defendant's response. Signed by Magistrate Judge Herman N Johnson, Jr on 8/13/2025. (KNS) (Entered: 08/13/2025)
The entry's text: Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Under Seal by The New York Times Company. (Winne, Matthew) (Entered: 09/23/2025)
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER: The court GRANTS the parties' joint motion for leave to file under to seal. (Doc. 113 ). Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 8/13/2025. (KNS) (Entered: 08/13/2025)
The entry's text: RESPONSE in Opposition re 117 MOTION for Summary Judgment Plaintiff Kai Spears Brief in Opposition to Defendant The New York Times Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Kai Spears. (Glover, R) (Entered: 09/05/2025)
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER: The court DENIES Defendant The New York Times Company's motion for leave to file reply in support of motion for protective order. (Doc. 109 ). Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 7/18/2025. (KNS) (Entered: 07/18/2025)
The entry's text: ***Document Sealed: Defendant The New York Times Company's Reply Memorandum Of Law In Support Of Motion For Summary Judgment (CLC) (Entered: 09/19/2025)
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER - Before the court is Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. (Doc. 119). Defendant's response to the motion is due on or before September 5, 2025. A reply, if any, is due on or before September 19, 2025. All submissions should comply with "Appendix II" attached to the Initial Order. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 8/15/25. (SAC) (Entered: 08/15/2025)
The entry's text: Evidentiary Material re: 119 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment . (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6A, # 7 Exhibit 6B, # 8 Exhibit 6C, # 9 Exhibit 7, # 10 Exhibit 8, # 11 Exhibit 9, # 12 Exhibit 10)(Glover, R) (Entered: 08/13/2025)
The entry's text: Evidentiary Material for Plaintiff Kai Spears' Response to Defendant The New York Times Motion for Summary Judgment Doc 117 and 123. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1A, # 2 Exhibit 1B, # 3 Exhibit 1C, # 4 Exhibit 2A, # 5 Exhibit 2B, # 6 Exhibit 3, # 7 Exhibit 4)(Glover, R) (Entered: 09/04/2025)
The entry's text: RESPONSE in Opposition re 119 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment filed by The New York Times Company. (Thompson, John) (Entered: 09/05/2025)
The entry's text: Brief in Support of re 117 MOTION for Summary Judgment . (Thompson, John) Modified on 8/14/2025 (KNS). (Entered: 08/14/2025)
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER - Before the court is Motion to Strike Evidence from Defendant The New York Times' Motion for Summary Judgment. (Doc. 137). Defendant, New York Times Company, is ORDERED to file a response on or before September 24, 2025. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 9/10/25. (SAC) (Entered: 09/10/2025)
The entry's text: ***Document Sealed pursuant to Order (Doc. 115)*** Notice of Filing Exhibits Under Seal re 118 Evidentiary Material (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 3, # 3 Exhibit 4, # 4 Exhibit 6, # 5 Exhibit 7, # 6 Exhibit 9, # 7 Exhibit 10, # 8 Exhibit 12) (KNS) (Entered: 08/13/2025)
The entry's text: MOTION to Quash or in the Alternative MOTION for a Protective Order by The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama. (Dykes, J) Modified on 8/11/2025 (MEB2). (Entered: 08/08/2025)
The entry's text: Brief Plaintiff Kai Spears' Second Response to Order for Supplemental Briefing on Motion to Compel filed by Kai Spears. (Glover, R) (Entered: 04/25/2025)
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER: The court GRANTS Plaintiff Kai Spears's motion for leave to file under seal. (Doc. 131 ). The court ORDERS Mr. Spears to bring to the Clerk of Court unredacted copies of his brief and the confidential document, which the Clerk SHALL FILE under seal. The court also ORDERS Mr. Spears to file redacted copies of those documents on the docket. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 9/5/2025. (CLC) (Entered: 09/05/2025)
The entry's text: REPLY to Response to Motion re 112 MOTION to Quash filed by The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama. (Dykes, J) (Entered: 09/03/2025)
The entry's text: REPLY to re 134 Kai Spears' Reply to Defendant New York Times Company's Opposition to Spears' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment filed by Kai Spears. (Glover, R) (Entered: 09/19/2025)
The entry's text: Evidentiary Material re: 117 MOTION for Summary Judgment . (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 Dep of Kai Spears - Redacted, # 2 Exhibit 2 Non-Confidential Exhibits to Depo of Kai Spears, # 3 Exhibit 3 Filing Under Seal, # 4 Exhibit 4 Dep of Cooper Lee - Redacted, # 5 Exhibit 5 Non-Confidential Exhibits to Depo of Cooper Lee, # 6 Exhibit 6 Filing Under Seal, # 7 Exhibit 7 Depo of Jaden Bradley -Redacted, # 8 Exhibit 8 Non-Confidential Exhibits to Bradley Dep, # 9 Exhibit 9 Filing Under Seal, # 10 Exhibit 10 Filing Under Seal, # 11 Exhibit 11 Non-Confidential Exhibits to Dep of Miller, # 12 Exhibit 12 Filing Under Seal, # 13 Exhibit 13 Dep of Esai Morse - Redacted, # 14 Exhibit 14 Non-Confidential Exhibits to Dep of Esai Morse, # 15 Exhibit 15 Dep of Dylan Serafini - Redacted, # 16 Exhibit 16 Non-Confidential Exhibits to Dep of Dylan Serafini, # 17 Exhibit 17 NYT (Spears) 0001899-0001902)(Thompson, John) (Entered: 08/13/2025)
The entry's text: TEXT ORDER: The court DIRECTS the Clerk to REFER Nonparty The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama's motion to quash, or in the alternative, for a protective order (doc. 112 ), to a randomly assigned magistrate judge of this district. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 8/13/2025. (KNS) (Entered: 08/13/2025)
The entry's text: Motion to Quash 112 filed by The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama has been referred to Herman N Johnson Jr per order (Doc. 114)). Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 8/13/2025. (KNS)
The entry's text: RESPONSE in Opposition re 112 MOTION to Quash filed by The New York Times Company. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A. Pare Depo Excerpts, # 2 Exhibit B. Lee Depo Excerpts, # 3 Exhibit C., Spears Depo Excerpts)(Winne, Matthew) (Entered: 08/27/2025)