Ryan Upchurch, a Nashville YouTuber, has reportedly been slammed with a $17.5 million verdict in a defamation lawsuit, per WSMV4. Plus "$500,000 in punitive damages was also awarded against the YouTuber."
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Upchurch allegedly made a video that questioned the authenticity of the disappearance and death of Kiely Rodni, a 16-year-old teen from California. She evidently vanished following a party near Tahoe National Forest almost four years ago. Sadly, Rodni was subsequently discovered dead in her SUV in a lake. Per the outlet, "Authorities ruled her death an accident and said there was no evidence of foul play."
The Video Was Controversial
Upchurch made a video titled "ZERO proof of Kiely Rodni situation being REAL." Therefore, Rodni's dad, Daniel Rodni, and her grandfather, David Robertson, then sued Ryan Upchurch in Nashville federal court three years ago. They said that Upchurch defamed Kiely Rodni's family by insinuating that they were just scamming the public to collect money via a GoFundMe account.
According to WMV4, Daniel Rodni and David Robertson's lawyers reportedly said that the video caused Kiely Rodni's family further pain during a time of "intense grief," in the words of the outlet. Additionally, Upchurch's video allegedly harmed "the family's reputation."
Upchurch's Lawyers Fired Back
This case seems to pit freedom of speech against defamation. Where do you draw the line between one and the other? Did Ryan Upchurch have the right to make that video, distasteful as it may be to some? His lawyers had this to say about it in a statement via the outlet.
"The freedom of speech is one of the most fundamental rights that is necessary for every free society, and that right is one that needs protecting now more than ever. While Mr. Upchurch is a staunch advocate for the United States Constitution and the rights that so many veterans fought and died for, Mr. Upchurch can be that advocate and also feel sympathy for a family in their time of grief. It is in this spirit that Mr. Upchurch would like to extend his heartfelt sympathy to the Rodni, Robertson, and Nieman families. Mr. Upchurch asks that the family be given respect and time to grieve and move forward with their lives, and would ask that the family be allowed to heal in peace.
As to the verdict, Mr. Upchurch has no comment at this time.
Bailiff Law, LLC"
