Jesse Ventura wins case against Chris Kyle estate

2014-07-30T07:44:12-04:00

I'm surprised that I haven't seen discussion about this on RP yet. But for those who haven't heard about it yet, former non-SEAL, professional wrestler, Minnesota Governor and current conspiracy theorist Jesse Ventura has won his case against the estate of SEAL sniper Chris Kyle. The judge awarded him $500,000 for defamation and $1.3 million for unjust enrichment. In his book, Kyle claims to have knocked out an individual, later revealed to be Ventura, for saying that the SEALs deserved to have lost a few in Iraq. Whilst at a bar where the wake for a fallen SEAL was taking place.

Ventura loves claiming that he was a SEAL, even though SEALs were not around in his time. He's definitely just burned any bridge he had to current and former operators. I've always thought of him as a nut bag, but now he's just pure scum. What sayest you?

http://news.yahoo.com/jury-awards-ventura-1-8m-defamation-case-182537224.html

Jury awards Ventura $1.8M in defamation case

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura won $1.8 million Tuesday in his two-year fight to prove he was defamed by a military sniper and best-selling author who claimed to have punched out Ventura at a bar for bad-mouthing the Navy SEALs.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 30 at 2014 7:49 AM

2014-07-30T07:49:21-04:00

Well it looks like the media has influenced society and the masses. Freedom of speech in my opinion has played a role in the suit. We all know the truth on this story!

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jul 30 at 2014 8:02 AM

2014-07-30T08:02:50-04:00

"unjust profit"? Seems to me that Ventura is the one reaping 'unjust profit' here. Of course I will admit to not having all the details, only what the article presents, but it seems to me that the wrong decision was reached here. We'll see if an appeal is forthcoming.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jul 30 at 2014 11:08 AM

2014-07-30T11:08:46-04:00

In actuality SEALs were around when he served, however he only attended the UDT (Frogman) portion of the training and served as a Navy UDT Diver, later on, all "Frogmen" were rolled into the SEALs. Now onto the point at hand, he has claimed that the book defamed him and caused him to lose commercial viability, however, he was already in decline as a viable personality and I think that the continuation of the lawsuit against the estate (essentially against the widow of Chris Kyle) has done and will continue to do more to harm his "career" than the book will or has done. There were conflicting stories about the supposed incident offered and supported by both sides, at this point who really knows what did or did not occur. My own opinion is that he has proved himself to be an obnoxious, over the top, vindictive POS.

Response by SFC Steven Borders made Jul 30 at 2014 11:43 AM

2014-07-30T11:43:06-04:00

This flat out disgusted me when I read that article this morning. First thing that popped up on facebook. I have no respect for this man what so ever.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 30 at 2014 12:00 PM

2014-07-30T12:00:13-04:00

From nut bag to D-bag. what a class-less act!! Stick to what you do best Jesse - being a movie poser. This doesn't deserve a pose from "Predator"

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 12:24 PM

2014-07-30T12:24:36-04:00

Very heroic to sue a dead hero's wife. Very manly. Agree completely with the sentiment stated in other comments. He should be popularly elected POS of the year.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jul 30 at 2014 12:27 PM

2014-07-30T12:27:36-04:00

Apparently the decision has raised the hackles of Marcus Luttrell as well....

http://rare.us/story/lone-survivor-marcus-luttrell-tears-into-jesse-ventura-for-suing-chris-kyles-widow/

and a link to his facebook page showing what he posted:

https://www.facebook.com/The.Official.Marcus.Luttrell.Fanpage

Good to see we are not alone in our ire!

"Lone Survivor" Marcus Luttrell tears into Jesse Ventura for suing Chris Kyle's widow

The "Lone Survivor" calls out the ex-wrestler.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 12:42 PM

2014-07-30T12:42:34-04:00

I have read CPO Kyle's book American Sniper and I believe his accout of the altercation. I have never cared for Ventura and have always thought of him as a scumbag. CPO Kyle is much more respectable, patriotic man then Ventura can ever hope to be. CPO Chris Kyle RIP brother!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 1:04 PM

2014-07-30T13:04:49-04:00

I think this is everyone's opinion right now.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jul 30 at 2014 2:41 PM

2014-07-30T14:41:17-04:00

How is it even defamation to state, as CPO Kyle did, that the person he decked was "later identified as Jesse Ventura"??

From where I stand, that is just a matter of CPO Kyle relaying something he had been told...am I wrong?

Response by SCPO Jim Bailey made Jul 30 at 2014 5:48 PM

2014-07-30T17:48:07-04:00

I guess Ventura's brain has too much smoke whirling through it to remember that oath he too had spoken. Ventura got his feeling hurt and now he wants to sew the Kyle’s widow taking away what he has left behind for his kids to live off because he is no longer there to support or defend them. It escapes my imagination as to why Ventura didn’t try that when Kyle was still with us? If I could say anything to Ventura I would tell him that it is time for him to put back on the, I am a big boy pants and suck it up. I would also advise him to dig deep pass all the **** he is smoking and try to find the man that once was so he once again can march on smartly. He is disgracing the uniform I had worn for over 26 years as well as hundreds of thousand before me.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 9:57 PM

2014-07-30T21:57:19-04:00

No one vetted the book before it was published? Editor or Publisher?

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jul 31 at 2014 12:10 AM

2014-07-31T00:10:50-04:00

If he had any ounce of human in him, he'd at least donate the money to a veterans charity.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jul 31 at 2014 4:21 AM

2014-07-31T04:21:22-04:00

Maybe he'll get choke slammed the next time he drops in on a WWE event. It might be fake, but it would be satisfying to see.

Response by TSgt Mark Vaughn made Jul 31 at 2014 5:34 PM

2014-07-31T17:34:35-04:00

As a retiree and a "patriot" I am seeing a fundamental change in our society, though slow it seems our society as a whole has come to a tipping point on weather our Country will continue in decline or if our Country has had enough of the Liberal / progressive politics that has drug it down to the point where a well known person will sue the wife of a dead American Hero for something he says was in a book that was never actually published in the book. How did he win? I have no clue I was not in the courtroom but the fact remains that he did but a decision like that will undoubtedly make him even less marketable than he ever was. It seems all of a sudden we are seeing a shift in America, Congress is acting on things didn't before like the BenGHazi hearings where Trey Gowdy isn't taking Crap from anyone. Like the Supreme Court overturning things that the Administration has taken for granted, people being tired of being afraid and letting their children actually go more than a block away to play. Actual Outrage of individuals who once stood silent as illegal Immigration ran rampant and nothing was done, now those folks are standing strong and seeing that busloads of illegals are not allowed to stop in "their towns". I think the days of parents saying things like "I'm afraid to let my child go out and play because there are too many crazies in our society" is starting to turn, people are actually seeing that in order to create order you have to face that fear and overcome it. Don't wait till someone else does something or nothing will ever get done. My heart bleeds for the family to have to deal with not only the death of their loved one but then to turn around and be held responsible for something they weren't even a part of. Jesse will become more of a laughing stock along with all the others out there. Heck I'm even seeing the once steadfast Liberal celebs starting to question the administration. I believe the tide is turning, but just like gaining weight, it's easy to pack the pounds on but it will take awhile to shed those UNWANTED pounds. Give it time but I Think America is starting to wake up.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2014 2:45 AM

2014-08-01T02:45:10-04:00

The awesome "Turd of the Week" tag pretty much sums it up.

Response by SPC David S. made Aug 1 at 2014 10:39 AM

2014-08-01T10:39:25-04:00

Nice job Jesse Ventura you greedy POS. I think I'll cook up a class action counter suit and sue you for defamation of all the other Navy Seals but wait until you die.

As a "SEAL" you would think he would have had some balls and called Kyle out about the incident not sue his wife and kids. I truly hope he grows old and lonely.

And I also feel fairly confident if he shows up at any reunions of veterans who served as SEAL's he will get knocked the "F" out with a this is for Kyle.

Response by SCPO Jim Bailey made Aug 1 at 2014 7:51 PM

2014-08-01T19:51:27-04:00

It looks as if the judge was smoking the same s**t Ventura smokes when he sided on Ventura's argument that his character was assassinated (no punt intended) by Kyle’s book. How cans Kyle’s statement hurt Ventura’s career opportunities and I really wonder what career Ventura is refereeing too? All he is doing is sitting on his old a** down in Mexico surfing and smoking dope from what I heard him say to Hannity. Enough said about Ventura because he turns my stomach so I will not give that POS another thought, but I will pray for Kyle’s wife and kids.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 1 at 2014 9:31 PM

2014-08-01T21:31:33-04:00

Never was a big fan of Jesse Ventura and his Conspiracy Garbage show but I'm sure not jumping on the FOX "Jesse robbing a Veterans Widow" Bandwagon either. When the suit was filed the Sailor that Defamed him was still alive. So this is just pure unadulterated propaganda. As a Sailor I am quite familiar with that fact that Jesse is an "Honorary" Seal and he was from a different part of the community at the time. As far as the merits of the suit. In criminal case guilt has to be assessed "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" in civil matter it is a "Preponderance of Evidence" so it a Appears that the court determined that by 51 percent or more that Jesse was slandered. While I know that FOX has won several court battles that protects their "Right to Lie" under the 1st Amendment. It doesn't work for the rest of us. You lie and slander some one you could pay for it in the end. As far as the Poor Broke Grieving Widow. Not so much. How much has this book made? She gets to split the Profits with Jesse so she won't be quite so rich but I don't see here in the poor house either and I strongly suspect that the Publisher will make sure she is still well taken care of.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2014 10:03 PM

2014-08-01T22:03:11-04:00

Ventura had a reputation worthy of defending? Whoa......the American justice system twisted yet again......

Response by 1LT Shawn McCarthy made Aug 1 at 2014 11:39 PM

2014-08-01T23:39:20-04:00

If - and I do mean IF - Ventura never said those words, I can understand his desperation to correct the record.
Assume for the moment that Ventura never amde the remarks.
Perhaps Kyle misheard him in a loud bar, perhaps one (or both) of them was too drunk to remember exactly what was said.
Given that, I understand the initial desire to have those very unpatriotic statements stricken from the record. If he claims he didn't say it and Kyle wouldn't recant a lawsuit would be about his only option.
That being said, once Kyle passed away he should have dropped the lawsuit.
If his lawyers insisted on some compensation and he didn't have the funds, maybe he could work out a deal with the estate or something JUST to cover lawyer fees.
He would have done himself more good to simply have said "I stand by my assertion that I never made those remarks but I have decided, out of respect for my fellow SEAL and his wife, to drop my lawsuit. Again, I did not utter those terrible remarks and I have nothing but respect for our military men and women."
Something to that effect.

The way he went about it...douchebag.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2014 10:52 AM

2014-08-02T10:52:16-04:00

Has anyone even read what the lawsuit was even about or details about the altercation that sparked the passage in the book?

Does anyone even know that the suit was filed in 2012 and prior to the suit Ventura simply asked for a refraction and an apology.

Just because of the man's honorable service doesn't make everything he did right.

He should not have named Jesse Ventura in his television interviews (to build publicity). PERIOD.

We complain about celebrities getting off easy when it comes to legal proceedings, then when one of our own could possibly be in the wrong, we allow the double standard.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 2 at 2014 11:48 AM

2014-08-02T11:48:03-04:00

It's hard to deny that wrestling is entertaining. It certainly appeals to a large audience much as did vaudeville. However, it was based on athletes acting in a farce. Jesse seems to have lost sight of the fact that he is not longer performing on that stage and may be protecting his image from that arena rather than other arenas in which he has performed.

Was there a righteous basis for his claim that Kyle's widow is now paying? Probably. But, righteousness doesn't always equate with decency, does it?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2014 1:41 PM

2014-08-02T13:41:58-04:00

Yep!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2014 2:14 PM

2014-08-02T14:14:07-04:00

Right again!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2014 11:23 PM

2014-08-02T23:23:45-04:00

I think this is the true outcome of the story

Response by SCPO Jim Bailey made Aug 12 at 2014 4:52 PM

2014-08-12T16:52:33-04:00

Ventura did not think his actions through. If he had, I am sure he would not have sued the widow of a man who put him in his place after his alligator mouth over loaded his canary ass. I personally would not stand up for a so called man with questionable core values such as Ventura under any circumstance, and I am sure he would do the same for me. The man that once was is no longer there because of his choice to smoke pot and whatever else. He now lives in an altered state of mind and in doing so Ventura in a desperate state for money because of this life style has resorted to one of lowest form of life “a parasitic existence”. So anyone who believe that pot should be legalized just needs to watch the older people whose moral compass have been lost after a life time of smoking pot.

Response by SSgt Rich Phillips made Aug 13 at 2014 12:01 PM

2014-08-13T12:01:50-04:00

As I said in a facebook post: I am completely disgusted with him. It's too bad that he has to stoop to such a scum sucking level that he would attack Chris' estate (Wife and Kids) because he was butt hurt.

He exhibits no values or virtues of a SEAL (Honored Men!) and should just shut his PIEHOLE!

My .02

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 3:59 PM

2014-11-26T15:59:27-05:00

If ANYONE ever mentions even in my hearing, "Jesse Ventura", I'm going to LOUDLY say, "You mean Scruff Face? The lower than whale-shit wimp who sued a dead man's widow because his tiny little feeling were hurt?"

I hope every reader here, and every service member joins together to make SURE Scruff Face N-E-V-E-R hears the end of it. And I hope he wants to get into my face about it. He'll get decked again.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 27 at 2014 8:50 AM

2014-11-27T08:50:46-05:00

I am still shaking my head about this whole Jesse Ventura lawsuit ordeal...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 8:36 PM

2014-12-16T20:36:34-05:00

And in the latest of stupidity, crass, selfishness and well, I'll let you all fill in the blanks. Jesse Ventura has now decided to sue the publisher of Chris Kyle's book. SMH!!!

https://screen.yahoo.com/wochit/ventura-sues-publisher-39-american-083126916.html

Ventura Sues Publisher of 'American Sniper' Book | Wochit - Yahoo Screen

Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura is now suing the publisher of the book that a federal jury said defamed him.Ventura was awarded $1.8 million in a lawsuit that alleged "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle made up claims in his book about punching Ventura after he made offensive comments about Navy SEALS at a California bar in 2006. Ventura says it never happened. Both men are former SEALs. Kyle died last year.

Response by SGT Roger Childs made Jun 26 at 2015 11:29 PM

2015-06-26T23:29:25-04:00

I have to say is this for real?

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Jul 21 at 2015 11:38 PM

2015-07-21T23:38:32-04:00

Not to come to Jesse's defense, since I'm not really a fan and think he's kind of out there on some issues; however, there have been allegations of Chris Kyle saying things that don't hold water; such as that he set up a sniper position on the roof of the Superdome during Hurricane Katrina and killed a bunch of civilians that he spotted carrying firearms. If he actually said it and it was true, that would make him a murderer; if he actually said it and it wasn't true, that would make him a liar.

Response by SGT Robert Hawks made Jul 28 at 2015 2:01 AM

2015-07-28T02:01:06-04:00

He was a Navy frogman a member of the under water demolition team they where the forerunners to the Seals and they are considered Seals now. He also was suing Kyle before he was killed. Since he won the case I must assume the evidence was in his favor. He also served six years in the Navy and is a former Governor. I agree that he is a nut job but the facts say he was slandered so if I was suing someone who did me wrong that was famous and they where killed I should just drop it I think not. I believe both parties where wrong but we will never know the real truth and both served their country honorably during a time of war in war zones.