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Judge in Rolling Stone defamation suit rules ‘Jackie’ has done enough

Posted at 2:51 PM, Jun 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-22 14:51:18-04

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The judge presiding over the lawsuit filed by University of Virginia Dean Nicole Eramo, against Rolling Stone, has ruled that “Jackie,” the central figure in the story’s controversy, has complied with her subpoena.

Over the last few months, attorneys for Eramo and Jackie have been going back and forth over alleged emails Eramo’s attorneys believe Jackie has in her possession, from Haven Monahan.

Monahan is the fictional fraternity member who would later be accused of the rape by Jackie that Rolling Stone based its story “A Rape in Campus” published in 2014.

Related: Girl who cried UVa gang rape pretended to be her rapist to win a boy, lawyers say

The article, with global attention, provoked dialogue about sexual violence on college campuses, but the details of the story soon came under withering scrutiny and it was later retracted. Multiple lawsuits have been filed since its publication.

Lawyers said a crush over a boy sparked the sensational article. Court documents allege Monahan was a fake suitor created in an elaborate scheme by Jackie to win over a boy’s affection; a “figment of her imagination.”

Eramo filed a motion to compel Jackie to produce the documents, but Jackie’s attorneys said they do not have the emails anymore, despite having access to the Haven Monahan Yahoo! email account.

Her attorneys said they conducted a forensic examination of Jackie’s computer and mobile phone and examined all known online accounts accessible by her and concluded she has no access.

Her attorneys also argued that she is under no obligation to explain her inability to produce any such documents.

The judge concluded that all requests for sanction or awarding of fees and cost are denied and Jackie has provided enough documentation.

The defamation lawsuit does not name Jackie, though she is at the heart of the article.

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