Judge dismisses defamation lawsuit brought by an LA bachelor against more than ... trends now
A judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought forward by an LA bachelor against more than 50 women after he discovered they were discussing him in a Facebook group called 'Are we dating the same guy?'.
Dozens of women called Stewart Lucas Murray, from Santa Monica, a 'bad date' before he took the move to sue following claims he was labeled a murderer and accused of having STIs on the forum.
But a judge in downtown Los Angeles ruled in favor of defendant Vanessa Valdez.
The women argued they had done nothing wrong by posting their personal opinions in a private online group on social media.
The judge found no evidence of conspiracy on the women's part and granted an Anti-SLAPP motion - which protects those who speak out on matters of public interest against abusive lawsuits made to silence them.
Stewart Lucas Murrey, from Santa Monica, attempted to sue dozens of women who he claimed defamed him through Facebook posts. His lawsuit has now been dismissed by an LA judge
The lawsuit stems from the social media group, which currently has more than 52,500 members, where daters issue warnings about potentially harmful or deceitful men
'Just feels really good to be dismissed from all counts, it wasn't just the two counts of defamation, but all 11 counts be filed against me,' Valdez said during a press conference Monday.
'We have various Anti-SLAPP hearings in the weeks to come and obviously we hope that with Vanessa's ruling it kind of sets the precedent for the following hearings,' said another defendant, Olivia Berger.
The judge also reportedly found that based on the evidence presented, the court did not see any possibility of Murray winning against the defendants on any claim he made.
It comes after the Yale educated scholar last month attempted to sue dozens of potential suitors after claiming he was subjected to false and defamatory posts and comments being made about him in the group.
He planned to sue on a spate of charges including defamation, sex-based discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, libel and invasion of privacy - among others.
The lawsuit stemmed from the private Los-Angeles specific social media group, which has over 52,500 members.
It is labeled as a place where daters can highlight any warnings about potentially harmful and deceitful men.
Murray had alleged that the women posted a variety of false statements about him including claims he had lied about being an attorney, had tried to swindle money from them, and had sexually-transmitted diseases.
He also highlighted that the post made more serious claims, including that he was facing several domestic violence charges as well as being suspected of murder and involved in a homicide case.
Murray has denied all claims, alleging he only recalls meeting one of the women 'for less than 15
