Dismissal Of Suit Against Paper Appealed

Sat., March 21, 1998

From Staff And Wire Reports

District Court Judge Donna Wilson has filed an appeal of a recent dismissal of her lawsuit against The Spokesman-Review.

Asotin County Judge John Lyden last month dismissed her claims against the newspaper and reporter William Miller, who wrote several articles saying she read books during two trials.

Wilson was seeking $1.5 million in damages. She claimed the articles were untrue and invaded her privacy.

Wilson, who was elected to Spokane County District Court in 1990 and 1994, faces re-election this fall.

Lyden said Wilson failed to show the articles, written in 1993 and 1994, were malicious and that they had caused her any harm.

Wilson’s attorney, Rich Skalstad, was not available to comment on the basis for the appeal.

The Spokesman-Review has filed a countersuit against Wilson, saying her claims were without merit. That countersuit is still pending, said Duane Swinton, the newspaper’s attorney.

, DataTimes

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