Meghan Markle‘s half-sister – Samantha Markle – has filed a defamation suit against her over her interview with Oprah Winfrey and the material published in her biography Finding Freedom. And now as Meghan Markle is being dragged to court, 19 people – including Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey – may have to depose.
Court bound
NZ Herald confirms that Oprah Winfrey could face questioning by Samantha’s lawyers over her tell-all bombshell interview with the Sussexes. She may have to submit a deposition which may spark fresh new royal revelations.
This comes after Samantha claimed that Meghan’s remarks about her during the Oprah Winfrey interview has damaged her reputation. However, Hello magazine reports that Meghan’s lawyers have hit back and are trying to halt the process of collecting and releasing evidence, that is – discovery – as the lawsuit may be thrown out soon.
From our partners:
According to the Duchess’ lawyers, her statements to Oprah regarding her relationship with her half-sister were ‘non-actionable opinion that are also substantially true.’ Moreover, they also argue that Meghan did not make the claims in Finding Freedom, which was written by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand.
Oprah Winfrey and more
Apart from Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry, Meghan’s mother and the authors of Finding Freedom may also be dragged to court. The filing by Meghan’s team reads:
A deposition of Mr Markle at this juncture, along with other discovery, would be an unnecessary spectacle and waste of the parties’ time, money, and resources.
A deposition of Mr Markle at this juncture, along with other discovery, would be an unnecessary spectacle and waste of the parties’ time, money, and resources.
[Samantha Markle] should not be permitted to force Meghan and, potentially, numerous non-parties to devote substantial resources to extraneous discovery while a meritorious motion that could dispose of the entire case is pending.
[Samantha Markle] should not be permitted to force Meghan and, potentially, numerous non-parties to devote substantial resources to extraneous discovery while a meritorious motion that could dispose of the entire case is pending.
They also added:
As discussed below, discovery in this case should be stayed pending resolution of the Motion to Dismiss because (1) the Motion is clearly meritorious and will dispose of the case; (2) a brief stay of discovery will not prejudice or harm [Samantha Markle]; and (3) discovery will harm Meghan, other non-parties, the Court, and the interests protected by the First Amendment.
As discussed below, discovery in this case should be stayed pending resolution of the Motion to Dismiss because (1) the Motion is clearly meritorious and will dispose of the case; (2) a brief stay of discovery will not prejudice or harm [Samantha Markle]; and (3) discovery will harm Meghan, other non-parties, the Court, and the interests protected by the First Amendment.
Samantha’s list of potential witnesses is substantially longer than the ones involved in Prince Andrew’s case.
Sources Used
NZ Herald: Oprah Winfrey may be quizzed by lawyers over bombshell interview with Harry and Meghan
Hello magazine: Meghan Markle takes legal steps to stop Prince Harry from being deposed
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