Holistic healer wins $1 million defamation award from KSTP
An attorney for a Twin Cities television station says a $1 million defamation award will be appealed.
A Dakota County jury awarded a holistic healer from Hudson, Wis., compensatory damages in a 2009 story aired by KSTP-TV about the woman's treatment of a patient.
The KSTP story said naturopathy healer Susan Wahl tried to wean the patient from anti-anxiety medication and that she tried to commit suicide as a result. Wahl sued the station, claiming that records showed the patient's medical doctor reduced the medication and that there was no proof of a suicide attempt.
KSTP attorney Paul Hannah says the station will challenge the size of the damage award in post-trial motions. He says an appeal would be based on their argument that the station was not negligent and reported both sides of the story.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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