Sarah Palin Wins New Trial Against NY Times

A federal appeals court has revived Sarah Palin's libel lawsuit against The New York Times, citing multiple errors by U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff, who dismissed the case mid-deliberations in February 2022. The lawsuit stems from a 2017 editorial falsely linking Palin to a 2011 mass shooting that injured Rep. Gabby Giffords. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals highlighted issues such as improper exclusion of evidence, inaccurate jury instructions, and the potential influence on jurors after learning of the judge's decision during deliberations. The appeals court ruled that these factors tainted the jury's verdict and ordered a retrial but refused to remove Rakoff from the case despite allegations of bias. Palin's legal team views the decision as a step toward holding publishers accountable for misinformation. The New York Times expressed disappointment but remains confident in prevailing in the retrial.