Jesse Ventura Awarded $1.8 Million In Defamation Lawsuit

A jury awarded WWE Hall of Famer and former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura $1.8 million on Tuesday in his lawsuit against the estate of “American Sniper” author Chris Kyle.

Ventura sued Kyle, who was tragically killed last year, for a story he wrote in his best-selling book, claiming he punched out Ventura in a California bar back in 2006. Ventura had allegedly made and speaking out against the United States military and saying the Navy SEALs “deserve to lose a few.”

Ventura testified that Kyle fabricated the story about punching him out. In testimony taped before his death, Kyle once again claimed the story was factual.

After several days of deliberations, attorneys for both sides agreed that the verdict did not need to be unanimous and would allow a verdict if only eight of 10 jurors agreed. After siding with Ventura, the jury was told to award damages to Ventura for any harm to his reputation, humiliation and embarrassment.

Jurors found that Ventura suffered an economic loss as a direct result of Kyle’s statements.

A feature film based on “American Sniper” is currently being developed, with actor Bradley Cooper playing the starring role.

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