Can't believe Elon Musk has got away with it.

I read in the paper today it was because Musk didn’t name Mr Unsworth directly in his tweet although that’s what everyone thought. I feel very sorry for him (Mr Unsworth that is)

I wondered about that too Whitewave.

I believe that, having heard all the evidence, the jury were unanimous in their decision. My knee-jerk reaction was to think ‘Musk has got away with it’. However, on reading the case more closely, the jury may well have made the correct decision. Wading in and assuming Musk’s money was the deciding factor without looking at the detail is wrong.

Well in answer to your question how has he got away with it well two quick answers
1 Money
2 Tried in home area

Tricky, isn't it?

I think the reason Musk "got away with it" was because Mr Unsworth could not prove that his life had been negatively impacted sufficiently to warrant a guilty verdict.

I'm wondering if the shoe had been on the other foot, and it was Mr Unsworth calling Musk a paedo, whether the verdict would have been the same?

I doubt it somehow, as Musk has a reputation and a profile, and Unsworth doesn't, so less to lose. If that makes sense.

I'm quite concerned about this verdict; even if it WAS just a silly tweet it's actually out there, in writing, in the public domain. So libel.

I'm sure he won't mind too, callis.

I'm sure, then, that Giles Coren won't mind me saying that I think he is a smug little arsehole.

I liked his dad though.

Thank you, grannyknot.

Someone should throw Musk in the deepest cave and tell him to get on with it !

Apparently, under Californian law, Mr Unsworth's legal team were able to question the jurors after the verdict had been delivered.

They found to their horror that the jurors believed that because they'd never heard of Mr Unsworth, no-one else would have heard of him either and so he, in effect, didn't have a reputation that could be damaged.

At the time Musk put out his vile tweet, Mr Unsworth was a hero, known to just about everyone in Thailand, UK, Australia and in many other places worldwide. He already had a formidible international reputation as a fearless caver.

I hope they succeed in appealing this verdict.

Grannyknot has a point. Using Twitter as a means of hurling insults means you have to grow another skin because they'll come right back at you.

I missed this result and must say that I am appalled that this individual got away with it.
His pugnacious face reminded me of a certain POTUS, same spoilt pout.

Mr Unsworth is a hero.

Appalling result, and sets a very worrying precedent.

Twitter can be toxic.

I'm not a huge fan of Elon Musk, however ...

Giles Coren - who also called a "respected political journalist" a paedo on Twitter - writes in the Sunday Times today Whether we like it or not, words are cheap and becoming cheaper. Twitter is a dull, brutish arena to throw them around in and I think we should be free to say whatever we like there. I reaped the online whirlwind for my “pedo guy” moment but I will repeat it like a shot if he comes for me again. That said, don’t think for a minute that if some future billionaire calls me a paedo, I won’t go after him for every penny I can get.

I think what Coren is suggesting is that when someone is very wealthy, they are more likely to face a lawsuit, whereas someone like him who tweeted exactly the same insult, gets away with it.

Also, Musk tweeted that in response to he diver saying "he can stick his submarine where it hurts".

It's playground stuff (like we sometimes get on Gransnet, only worse) so it probably should not have made it to court.

I'll hide now.

Yes money certainly does talk.
If it were one of us ladies the outcome would be totally different.
The judicial system is out of touch with the real world these days.

Justice has not been done in this case. It's appalling.

Agree with everyone else - how can calling someone "pedo guy" not be libel? Obviously his money protected him. Feel very sorry for Mr Unsworth who was such a help in rescuing those boys.

Yes he's supposed to be a real bully. They are going to appeal but not sure that will do any good.

Yes. Money talks! Unbelievable!

Money talks every time. He's another obnoxious individual.

I was shocked when I heard the result. It's a disgrace.

Hmm, money talks, wonder what the result would have been if the roles were reversed ?

Unbelievable, considering Musk’s subsequent tweets.

Bet ya a signed dollar it's true.

And to a reporter who contacted him for comment on the threat of legal action, stop defending child rapists.

Poor Mr Unsworth must have had a dreadful lawyer to lose that case.