A federal judge recently dismissed a defamation lawsuit against Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines. The lawsuit was filed by Terry Hobbs who was the stepfather of three 8-year-old boys who were killed in Arkansas 15 years ago.
The convicted murderers of the 8-year-olds are three teenagers. A letter written by Maines, published on the Dixie Chicks’ web site states that the Dixie Chicks think the three teenagers are innocent. Hobbs says this letter suggests that he murdered the 8-year-olds. The federal judge dismissed the case on the basis that Hobbs could not prove any "actual malice."
I agree with the federal judge’s dismissal. According to the Harvard Human Rights Journal, defamation injures the reputation of a person. Maines said no such thing suggesting that Hobbs was the murderer. I believe Hobbs was looking for money, 15 minutes of fame or was overly sensitive.
However, this is not the first time Maines has gotten in trouble for making controversial statements in public. In 2003 Maines said she was ashamed that the president was from Texas. The backlash severely crippled the Dixie Chick’s career for some time.
I think Maines needs a public relations practitioner to follower her around at all times or she needs to put a cap on her freedom of speech that she uses so much.
