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-WIRE REPORTS Trial in libel suit against WFAA-TV to begin March 11, 1991 WACO – A $36 million libel lawsuit against a Dallas television station is set to go to trial Monday, almost five years after it was filed by former McLennan County District Attorney Vic Feazell. Mr. Feazell sued WFAA-TV (Channel *0, its parent company, A.H. Belo Corp. and reporter Charles Duncan in June 1986, claiming that he was defamed by a series of reports the station broadcast a year earlier. The station has said it stands by the stories, which alleged kickbacks, questionable bookkeeping practices, preferential prosecution and petty animosity in Mr. Feazell’s office. Mr. Feazell says the news reports misstated facts and were biased. He denies all of the allegations in the stories. The 11 reports, and a federal investigation that followed, resulted in federal mail fraud and racketeering charges against Mr. Feazell in September 1986. He was acquitted the following year. Mr. Feazell, 39, resigned as district attorney in 1988 after five years in office. A.H. Belo also owns The Dallas Morning News. |
