Jury deliberating in defamation case
The jury in the defamation case against former Butler County Commissioner Jim Eckstein began deliberations this morning.
Eckstein is accused of spreading a rumor that former county Commissioner Dale Pinkerton gave county human resources director Lori Altman an extra 20 percent pay increase in exchange for her husband, state police Trooper Scott Altman, getting Pinkerton off the hook for a drunken driving pullover.
Pinkerton and the Altmans are suing Eckstein in two separate lawsuits that were tried simultaneously.
The jury is deciding whether is guilty of defamation and placing a false light on the plaintiffs. They also must consider if Eckstein also is guilty of intentional infliction of emotional stress for Pinkerton.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages, but are not seeking a specific monetary amount.
