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VERDICT: Jury awards Gibson’s Bakery $11 million against Oberlin College


Valin

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verdict-jury-awards-gibsons-bakery-11-million-against-oberlin-college

Punitive damage phase to start next Tuesday, which could increase the damages to $33 million.

William A. Jacobson   

Friday, June 7, 2019

Gibsons-Bakery-storefront-Oberlin-OH-e15

The Jury in the Gibson’s Bakery v. Oberlin College case has reached a verdict.

According to our reporter in the Courtroom, the jury awarded $11 million. Here are the details: Allyn W. Gibson was awarded $3 million, David Gibson $5.8 million, Gibson Bros. $2,274,500. Next Tuesday there will be a separate punitive damages which could be a double award (meaning tripling the $11 million to $33 million).

(Snip)

(clarification) Meredith Raimondo was held liable on the libel and interference with business relations, but not intentional infliction of emotional distress. By stipulation, the college is responsible for any amounts awarded against her, so she will not pay anything out of pocket.

We followed this case from the start of the protests, through the lawsuit process, and now trial. Here’s my statement:

"The verdict sends a strong message that colleges and universities cannot simply wind up and set loose student social justice warriors and then wash their hands of the consequences. In this case, a wholly innocent 5th-generation bakery was falsely accused of being racist and having a history racial profiling after stopping three black Oberlin College students from shoplifting. The students eventually pleaded guilty, but not before large protests and boycotts intended to destroy the bakery and defame the owners. The jury appears to have accepted that Oberlin College facilitated the wrongful conduct against the bakery."

(Snip)

Gibson-Family-reacts-to-Oberlin-College-

[Four generations of Gibsons after Jury Verdict][Photo Credit Legal Insurrection Foundation]

(Snip)

BACKGROUND

For background on the case, see here.

The plaintiffs are Gibson Bros. Inc. (the Bakery), 90-year-0ld Allyn W. Gibson, and his son, David B. Gibson. The defendants are Oberlin College and its Dean of Students, Meredith Raimondo.

Here are the counts that went to the jury:

Count 1: Libel
Count 3: Tortious Interference with Business Relationships
Count 4: Tortious Interference with Contracts
Count 6: Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

These are the jury interrogatories the jury had to follow to reach a verdict:

(Snip)
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Oberlin College mass email criticizing Jurors could influence Punitive Damages Hearing in Gibson’s Bakery case

William A. Jacobson   

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Publicly accusing jurors of disregarding “the clear evidence our team presented” when the trial is not over is another baffling move by Oberlin College.

(Snip)

Quote

Dear Members of the Oberlin Community:

I am writing to update you on the lawsuit that Gibson Bros., Inc. filed against Oberlin College and Vice President and Dean of Students Meredith Raimondo in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas in November 2017.

Following a trial that spanned almost a full month, the jury found for the plaintiffs earlier today.

We are disappointed with the verdict and regret that the jury did not agree with the clear evidence our team presented.

Neither Oberlin College nor Dean Meredith Raimondo defamed a local business or its owners, and they never endorsed statements made by others. Rather, the College and Dr. Raimondo worked to ensure that students’ freedom of speech was protected and that the student demonstrations were safe and lawful, and they attempted to help the plaintiffs repair any harm caused by the student protests.

As we have stated, colleges cannot be held liable for the independent actions of their students. Institutions of higher education are obligated to protect freedom of speech on their campuses and respect their students’ decision to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights. Oberlin College acted in accordance with these obligations.

While we are disappointed with the outcome, Oberlin College wishes to thank the members of the jury for their attention and dedication during this lengthy trial. They contributed a great deal of time and effort to this case, and we appreciate their commitment.

Our team will review the jury’s verdict and determine how to move forward.

Donica Thomas Varner
Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

(Snip)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Dear Oberlin College

h68995C0B

 

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Draggingtree
On 6/8/2019 at 6:53 AM, Valin said:
verdict-jury-awards-gibsons-bakery-11-million-against-oberlin-college

Punitive damage phase to start next Tuesday, which could increase the damages to $33 million.

William A. Jacobson   

Friday, June 7, 2019

Gibsons-Bakery-storefront-Oberlin-OH-e15

The Jury in the Gibson’s Bakery v. Oberlin College case has reached a verdict.

According to our reporter in the Courtroom, the jury awarded $11 million. Here are the details: Allyn W. Gibson was awarded $3 million, David Gibson $5.8 million, Gibson Bros. $2,274,500. Next Tuesday there will be a separate punitive damages which could be a double award (meaning tripling the $11 million to $33 million).

(Snip)

(clarification) Meredith Raimondo was held liable on the libel and interference with business relations, but not intentional infliction of emotional distress. By stipulation, the college is responsible for any amounts awarded against her, so she will not pay anything out of pocket.

We followed this case from the start of the protests, through the lawsuit process, and now trial. Here’s my statement:

"The verdict sends a strong message that colleges and universities cannot simply wind up and set loose student social justice warriors and then wash their hands of the consequences. In this case, a wholly innocent 5th-generation bakery was falsely accused of being racist and having a history racial profiling after stopping three black Oberlin College students from shoplifting. The students eventually pleaded guilty, but not before large protests and boycotts intended to destroy the bakery and defame the owners. The jury appears to have accepted that Oberlin College facilitated the wrongful conduct against the bakery."

(Snip)

Gibson-Family-reacts-to-Oberlin-College-

[Four generations of Gibsons after Jury Verdict][Photo Credit Legal Insurrection Foundation]

(Snip)

BACKGROUND

For background on the case, see here.

The plaintiffs are Gibson Bros. Inc. (the Bakery), 90-year-0ld Allyn W. Gibson, and his son, David B. Gibson. The defendants are Oberlin College and its Dean of Students, Meredith Raimondo.

Here are the counts that went to the jury:

Count 1: Libel
Count 3: Tortious Interference with Business Relationships
Count 4: Tortious Interference with Contracts
Count 6: Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

These are the jury interrogatories the jury had to follow to reach a verdict:

(Snip)

:thumbup:

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And me being fresh out of sympathy..........................

Oberlin College hit with maximum PUNITIVE DAMAGES (capped at $22 million by law) in Gibson’s Bakery case

William A. Jacob

June 13 2019

The jury just rendered its verdict on punitive damages in the Gibson’s Bakery v. Oberlin College case.

Daniel McGraw, our reporter in the courtroom, reports that in addition to the $11.2 million compensatory damages awarded last Friday, the jury awarded a total of $33 million in punitive damages, which will probably be reduced by the court to $22 million because of the state law cap at twice compensatory (it’s not an absolute cap, but probably will apply here). That brings the total damages to $33 million. We will have the breakdown soon. The jury also awarded attorney’s fees, to be determined by the judge.

 

The breakdown was:

David Gibson – $17.5 million punitive damages

Allyn W. Gibson — $8.75 million punitive damages

Gibson Bros. Inc. (the Bakery) – $6,973,500 punitive damages

(Snip)

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Oberlin College vows to fight Gibson’s Bakery Verdict: “This is not the final outcome”

William A. Jacobson   

Friday, June 14, 2019 at 10:13am

Oberlin College president in blast email: “Let me be absolutely clear: This is not the final outcome. This is, in fact, just one step along the way of what may turn out to be a lengthy and complex legal process.”

Carmen-Twillie-Ambar-Oberlin-College-Pre

 

After a jury awarded Gibson’s Bakery and its owners $11 million in compensatory damages, and $33 million in punitive damages (which likely will be reduced to $22 million under a state law capping damages at 2X compensatory damages), the college and its administrators are unapologetic and vowing to fight.

The President of Oberlin College, Carmen Twillie Ambar, just sent this blast email (h/t commenter rhhardin):

Quote

Dear Members of the Oberlin Community,

By now many of you will have heard about the latest development in the Gibson’s Bakery lawsuit, a jury’s declaration of punitive damages against Oberlin. Let me be absolutely clear: This is not the final outcome. This is, in fact, just one step along the way of what may turn out to be a lengthy and complex legal process. I want to assure you that none of this will sway us from our core values. It will not distract, deter, or materially harm our educational mission, for today’s students or for generations to come.

We will take the time we need to thoughtfully consider the course that is in Oberlin’s best interests. I will update the community as we make these decisions. I am confident that when we resolve this matter, it will look substantially different than it looks today.

We are disappointed in the jury’s decisions and the fragmentary and sometimes distorted public discussion of this case. But we respect the integrity of the jury, and we value our relationship with the town and region that are our home. We will learn from this lawsuit as we build a stronger relationship with our neighbors.

This has been a remarkable year for the college and conservatory. There is unprecedented unity around an ambitious new vision for Oberlin. The work of fulfilling that vision is already underway. Long after this lawsuit has receded from memory, that work will shape Oberlin’s future. I appreciate the contributions so many of you have made, your perspective at this important time, and the commitment you have shown to what matters most for Oberlin.

Sincerely,

Carmen Twillie Ambar
President

(Snip)

 

181148-triple_facepalm_super.jpg

 

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Draggingtree

Gibson’s Bakery v. Oberlin College coverage — One of our finest hours

Posted by William A. Jacobson    June 15, 2019 at 8:30pm

Reminds me of our coverage of the Scott Brown 2010 win — everyone in the world was shocked, except for Legal Insurrection readers who were following our on-the-ground reporting.

The Gibson’s Bakery massive verdict against Oberlin College has sparked incredible reader excitement, and brought many new readers to Legal Insurrection.

I’ve spent the last week trying to absorb what is happening. The reactions to the compensatory and punitive damage verdicts remind me of only a few times in Legal Insurrection’s almost 11-year history.

(more…) :snip: 

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Draggingtree

How Oberlin College Faculty Tried to Destroy a Small Business for Imaginary Crimes

Legal System

2 HOURS AGO William L. Anderson

Oberlin College faculty openly encouraged and assisted students in destroying the property and livelihood of employees and owners at Gibson's Market. The college claimed this was "freedom of speech." A jury disagreed.

READ MORE  :snip: 

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3 hours ago, Draggingtree said:

How Oberlin College Faculty Tried to Destroy a Small Business for Imaginary Crimes

Legal System

2 HOURS AGO William L. Anderson

Oberlin College faculty openly encouraged and assisted students in destroying the property and livelihood of employees and owners at Gibson's Market. The college claimed this was "freedom of speech." A jury disagreed.

READ MORE  :snip: 

 

The Right Fights Evil, The Left (not liberals) fights Imaginary crimes...with apologies to Dennis Prager.

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