HOUSTON, Texas (AP) - The wife of televangelist Joel Osteen did not assault a flight attendant during an angry tirade over a stain on her first-class seat, a jury ruled Thursday.
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(Photo: AP Images / The Houston Chonicle, Steve Ueckert)Rusty Hardin, right, attorney for Lakewood Church co-pastor Victoria Osteen, center, and her husband, Joel Osteen, left, give a news conference in the Harris County Civil Courthouse in Houston on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008 after a jury found that Victoria Osteen had not committed an assault against Continental Airlines flight attendant Sharon Brown.
Jurors rejected Continental Airlines flight attendant Sharon Brown's claims that Victoria Osteen threw her against a bathroom door and elbowed her in the left breast while attempting to rush the cockpit because she was angry that a stain on her seat's armrest was not quickly cleaned up.
"I'm glad it's over," Victoria Osteen said afterward. "I expected it because it's the truth and I know the truth always stands firm."
Joel Osteen said he and his family hold no ill will toward Brown.
"It's a great vindication and shows us the faithfulness of God," he said.
Brown was suing for at least $405,000 for physical and mental pain suffered as a result of the attack she alleged had occurred before takeoff aboard a December 2005 flight from Houston to Vail, Colorado.
Brown's attorney, Reginald McKamie, said afterward, "We're disappointed in the verdict."
Victoria Osteen and her husband, who also was aboard the flight, testified that the alleged assault never happened. Three first-class passengers and a pilot aboard testified Wednesday they never saw or heard anything that indicated Victoria Osteen assaulted Brown.
Another flight attendant, Maria Johnson, supported Brown's claims. Both flight attendants testified they had to block the cockpit door to prevent Victoria Osteen from getting inside.
Brown's side earlier sought an apology and punitive damages amounting to 10 percent of Victoria Osteen's net worth as part of her lawsuit. Victoria Osteen's attorney, Rusty Hardin, has declined to discuss her finances. It was unclear what percentage of her net worth the $405,000 might be.
Victoria Osteen told jurors she went up to Brown after no one helped her clean up the spill. She said it was Brown who became angry during their discussion. Victoria Osteen denied ever touching Brown or trying to get into the cockpit.
Hardin tried to cast doubt Brown suffered any physical or mental injuries. Under cross-examination, Brown acknowledged that doctors found no physical injuries on her and she delayed getting psychiatric treatment.
Claudia Hall, a former Continental flight attendant, testified by video deposition she was falsely accused by Brown of hitting and pushing her into the bathroom wall of a plane in November 1995.
The Osteens are co-pastors of Lakewood Church, which draws about 42,000 people each week for services. Joel Osteen's weekly television address is broadcast in the U.S. and internationally and his books are sold around the globe.
The Osteens paid a $3,000 fine the Federal Aviation Administration levied against Victoria Osteen for interfering with a crew member but testified they did that to put it behind them.
RSS
I wonder why Miss Brown hasn't been fined for filing false charges??
DP, I understand your point was rhetorical but in regard the FAA fine it seems to me that
1. the alleged acts were different the Fined activity being a much lower level of disruption than alleged by the flight attendant in the suit.
2. The fined behavior was corroborated by the pilot while the behavior of the lawsuit was not
3. Often times due to standards of evidence information available in one setting (admin review) is not available in another (court)
4. When a situation is complex and there is conflicting testimony differing individuals can in good faith come to differing conclusions
I am not giving a thumbs up to the FAA fine since I wasn't privy to the info they had or their standards of evidence etc, etc. I'm just suggesting they don't equate. Again I understand your post was mostly rhetorical.
I agree this is a good verdict. No payday for the complainant, and our system of just, proportional damages, under assault by the powerful trial lawyers, is protected. But I think all the principals might have something to take away from this case. Congrats to the Osteens.
Daniel Paul,
I've worked on a software R&D project in the past with the FAA as the customer ... the customer was ALWAYS right, whether they were right or not.
touche, believer :^)
So, does that mean the FAA will now go back and apologize to them and refund the fine? After all, the fine was based only on the information provided by Brown and her buddy.
muggleborn, better yet, how many of us could care less if she was or wasn't?
Correction ... Osteen = Olsteen.
>> Claudia Hall, a former Continental flight attendant, testified by video deposition she was falsely accused by Brown of hitting and pushing her into the bathroom wall of a plane in November 1995. <<
How many people here, who posted on the related articles were quick to say that Olsteen must have been guilty?
I was really praying for Pastor Joel's family and issues what ever the man of God facing ....I really praise God and Thank Jesus that because He is the truth and the way.
Right or wrong, this is the decision the Osteen's needed.
This puts them in the clear....until the next time.
We can only hope that all who were involved are little wiser, and will be a little more mature in their journey's.