WHAS Host Terry Meiners Wins Speeding Case That Triggered Defamation Allegations

Meiners

CLEAR CHANNEL Talk WHAS-A/LOUISVILLE host TERRY MEINERS was found not guilty by a JEFFERSON COUNTY District Court jury of speeding in a case that has gained local notoriety because the police officer has threatened a defamation suit against MEINERS for on-air comments about the incident.

The LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL reports that the jury took only a few minutes on MONDAY night before reaching its verdict.  MEINERS had been ticketed for allegedly going 75 mph in a 55 mph zone on the WATTERSON Expressway, and MEINERS talked about the incident on the air, allegedly calling Officer SAM CROMITY a "liar" 15 times and calling him "Black Car Barney" or "Black Barney" (CROMITY is African-American.

The "BARNEY" is a reference to bumbling Deputy BARNEY FIFE on "THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW," and MEINERS said that the "Black" referred to outlaw BLACK BART and the color of the patrol car).  CROMITY has threatened suit and has demanded an on-air retraction and financial compensation, and refused a handshake after the trial.

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