Quotes
It's been a long three years, and to have the outcome that we wanted, which was vindication publicly, is an incredible feeling. And I'm glad that it's over, and we don't have to spend more years and more time arguing about the meaning of a word,
Young said
I think that this was a good outcome for both of us,
Young saidWe were able to clear Zak's name, get a verdict, and then settle so he can avoid protracted appeals and move on with his life,
Freedman told Fox News DigitalI'm glad it's over,
Young told Fox News Digital in an interviewWe remain proud of our journalists and are 100% committed to strong, fearless and fair-minded reporting at CNN, though we will of course take what useful lessons we can from this case."
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for CNN saidI hope that they learn something from this experience,
he continued
This case is about the truth of this case; it's not about sending a message,
David Axelrod, a lawyer representing CNN, said
This was early enough on in the reporting process when I'm doing the research that I'm allowing for the possibility that this was indeed a scam, this was corruption,
Marquardt saidWe ask you to send that message, loud and clear: end this madness, bring American journalism back to the center, bring Walter Cronkite back,
Freedman told jurorsYou have a tool to save American media. It's called punitive damages. Use it,
Freedman saidDo not allow CNN to rewrite the English language to avoid liability in this case,
Freedman saidZak was at the peak of his professional career,
Freedman saidThis was a former Navy SEAL trainee, a CIA operative, he can’t function anymore,
Freedman saidNone of them are sorry. All of them said they would do it again,
Freedman told jurorsIt was a calculated attack by CNN on his character that has inflicted deep and lasting wounds,
Young’s lead counsel Vel Freedman told jurorsZak’s ability to walk into a room with pride and being seen as a professional with integrity has been stripped away. His pain and suffering, mental anguish, seeing his name dragged through the mud,
Freedman addedNo man or woman should have to endure that pain,
he continuedYou all didn't come and sit in this jury to deliver a message to big media. You all came here and you took the oath that you would apply your common sense to the facts of this case, and that is all I'm asking. And I think when you do, you'll find that CNN did not defame Mr. Young."
CNN lawyer David L. Axelrod, in his closing argumentIf after reviewing the evidence you've seen, after watching CNN's pretentious and self-righteous, poor reporters deny their own words over and over, change their stories over and over, express discomfort at owning their own words, twisting themselves into pretzels to explain them away, you still don't agree with me, I don't want a dime,
Freedman saidLook at what CNN said this segment was about when they were peddling scandal for views and clicks. Don't listen to what they are saying now, after they are facing you,
Freedman said