CALA Slingshots : Double Jeopardy
Refried Oprah

How many bites at the apple are a group of Texas cattlemen entitled? The seemingly vindictive beef producers are back in court taking another swing at Oprah Winfrey. Apparently, the cattlemen did not learn from their Wild West embarrassment.

If there was justification for legal or procedural means, the cattlemen could have filed an appeal of their failed case in federal court. Instead, they have re-filed the same case in another west Texas jurisdiction, which sounds like double jeopardy to me.

Unlike most of us, Winfrey has the deep pockets to defend herself against harassment tactics. However, neither she nor Texas taxpayers should be subjected to repeat charges for this previously litigated incident.

Perhaps it is time the Texas legislature reconsiders the merits of the veggie libel law.

Jon Opelt, Executive Director
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse/Houston


Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse

2500 City West Boulevard, Suite 300 • Houston, Texas 77042
E-mail: sosueme@calahouston.org • Administrative: (713) 267-2302 • Fax: (713) 267-2267