Sarah Palin's libel claim against NYT to start in April

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Onetime Republican vice presidential candidate and ex-governor of Alaska Sarah Palin's libel case against The New York Times will begin in April, even as lawyers on both sides for the first time said they hope to settle the case through talks.

Judge Jed S. Rakoff said during a telephone conference that if a deal cannot be reached before then, the trial can begin on April 14.

Palin's lawsuit stemmed from a 2017 Times editorial. It falsely associated her campaign rhetoric with a mass shooting, claiming it damaged her reputation and career. The Times acknowledged errors in the editorial, calling them an "honest mistake" and clarifying that it had no intent to harm Palin.

Judge Rakoff dismissed the case in February 2022 while the jury was still deliberating. After the dismissal, Rakoff allowed the jury to complete deliberations, which resulted in a verdict unfavorable to Palin. However, in August, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan reinstated Palin's claim.

David L. Axelrod, attorney for The New York Times, informed Rakoff that attorneys on both sides had discussed ways to resolve the case, noting the difficulty in locating witnesses after such a lengthy period. Kenneth G. Turkel, Palin's attorney, agreed and pointed out that the two sides had not previously attempted mediation.

Rakoff seemed supportive of a settlement, and Axelrod indicated that the lawyers were open to third-party mediation. Turkel expressed interest in beginning "some type of discussion," as none had taken place.