First Amendment and Defamation Law

An Ohio jury rejected sheriff deputies’ defamation and privacy claims against rapper Afroman after a three‑day civil trial whose jury deliberated in less than a day. The deputies had sought $3.9 million and removal of his music videos, memes and merchandise after Afroman released songs and videos accusing them of misconduct, including lyrics alleging extramarital affairs and pedophilia; the suit stemmed from an August 2022 raid in which no evidence was found or charges filed and Afroman says officers broke his gate and cameras and $400 went missing. After the verdict he said, “I didn’t win, America won … America still has freedom of speech. It’s still for the people, by the people.”