The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard oral arguments today for the case of Fustolo v. Hollander on the issue of petitioning activity. This appeal arises out of a defamation action by a North End real estate developer, Fustolo, against a North End newspaper writer, Hollander, where the defendant claimed that her writings constituted protected petitioning activities under the anti-SLAPP statute.
The arguments were webcast at www.suffolk.edu/sjc although the archive video won’t be available for a few days. A decision is likely weeks away. I will post the video when available.
DanKennedy.net “live-blogged” the event. Kennedy, who was paid to write an affidavit for Hollander, wrapped up:
“It strikes me that the questions were equally tough for both sides — that Harvey Shapiro, the lawyer for journalist-activist Fredda Hollander, and Bruce Edmands, the lawyer for developer Steven Fustolo, were kept on the defensive during their arguments. No way of saying how this will come out.”
Background:
North End Reporter Takes Developer’s Lawsuit to Mass Supreme Court