In an exclusive interview, Katy Svitenko, the jury foreperson in the recent defamation case against CNN, shared her insights into the trial and the jury's decision-making process. The case involved Navy veteran Zachary Young, who sued CNN for a 2021 report that implied he profited illegally from evacuations during the Afghanistan withdrawal. The jury ultimately found in Young's favor, leading to a settlement between the parties.

Svitenko, a retired teacher, highlighted CNN's internal communications as particularly damaging evidence. Emails revealed disparaging remarks about Young, including one from correspondent Alex Marquardt stating his intention to "nail" Young. Svitenko described these messages as reminiscent of "middle school name-calling" and indicated they played a significant role in the jury's defamation verdict. She felt Marquardt's words demonstrated a clear bias against Young.

Svitenko also questioned Marquardt's claim of only attempting to contact Young once before airing the report, expressing skepticism about the journalist's due diligence. She also found Marquardt's demeanor on the stand to be arrogant and his repeated claims of not recalling events to be unconvincing. The jury was further troubled by the revelation that CNN's on-air apology was a legal strategy rather than a genuine expression of remorse.

CNN's argument that Young was a minor figure in a story about Afghan evacuees failed to persuade the jury, who believed the focus was squarely on Young's alleged wrongdoing. Svitenko also expressed surprise at CNN executive Adam Levine's testimony that he didn't know the viewership numbers for the report. The jury's unanimous interpretation of "black market" as inherently illegal further contradicted CNN staffers' claims that the term was used accurately.

Svitenko revealed the jury initially intended to award significantly higher punitive damages, potentially reaching $100 million, to "send a message" to media organizations. While pleased with the eventual settlement, she believes CNN may have feared a much larger financial penalty. She also criticized CNN's legal representation for what she perceived as a condescending attitude toward the jury. Conversely, she commended Young's lawyer for his passionate advocacy.