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Judge Dismisses Natalee Holloway Lawsuit

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Sat Aug 05, 2006 at 11:47:05 AM EST
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Congrats to my pal Joe Tacopina who represents Joran van Der Sloot in the New York civil lawsuit filed against him by Natalee Holloways' parents. The Judge, quite properly in my view, has dismissed the lawsuit, finding no reason for it to have been filed in New York.

The lawsuit was dismissed by Judge Barbara Kapnick, who said it shouldn't have been filed in Manhattan. She rejected an argument that if the case were filed in Aruba, it would prompt a media frenzy that could interfere with the investigation.
Kapnick said taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for a case "when their interest in the suit... is so ephemeral."

The lawsuit was a cheap shot and desperate move. The Holloways had a detective on the same plane as Joran flying from Amsterdam to the U.S. The detective served him when the plane landed.

New York has nothing to do with the case of the missing Alabama girl or with Joran, who has never been charged with a crime.

Van der Sloot's lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, told The Associated Press that the college student "was elated" by the judge's decision. "We were never afraid of the facts in this case," Tacopina said Thursday when the case was dismissed. "He did nothing to this girl. ... He's trying to get on with his life."

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    Judge Dismisses Natalee Holloway Lawsuit | 2 comments (2 topical)
    Re: Judge Dismisses Natalee Holloway Lawsuit (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Aug 06, 2006 at 06:36:19 AM EST
    Than how do you suppose Dave Holloway finds out what happned to his daughter Natalee? Instead of prasing a fellow lawyer you should come up with a better idea for the Holloway family.

    Re: Judge Dismisses Natalee Holloway Lawsuit (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Aug 06, 2006 at 07:40:25 PM EST
    Appears more to me as desperation than deviance. A grieving family desiring answers, closure and an attorney that gave it a shot. Sure I haven't been happy with the media's reporting, but at least someone is out there willing to stick his neck out and attempt to get some answers. If this kid were innocent this trial might have been the real one thing to set him free. A reminder, the case was thrown out due to jurisdiction, not validity.

    Judge Dismisses Natalee Holloway Lawsuit | 2 comments (2 topical)