As of Friday, April 27, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
COVINGTON -- An attorney representing LaQuanda Brown Carpenter, principal at Alcovy High School, has filed a lawsuit against 11 "John Does" who commented about Carpenter on the Newton Citizen website.
The lawsuit claims that Carpenter has "experienced enormous suffering and damage to her reputation in the community and to her trade or profession" as a result of the website postings.
Carpenter is seeking court costs and monetary damages to be determined by a jury.
Attorney Stephanie Lindsey filed the suit claiming defamation and libel late Wednesday in the Newton County Superior Court Clerk's office.
Commenters on the website may use pseudonyms, but Lindsey said it is not necessary to know the actual names of the commenters in order to file suit against them.
"We have identified them enough so they will know who we are talking about," she said. "We will go ahead and get their actual names at a later time."
Lindsey said the newspaper will be subpoenaed for the actual names of those whose comments are cited in the lawsuit.
The pseudonyms named as "John Does" in the lawsuit are MsLoy, bluedeyeddevil, avidreader, spdracer90, GwinnettTransplant, amp72, newtoncountyparent, watermelonlover, beautifulblueeyes, Satan69, and KBeet.
The lawsuit cites 11 comments posted on the website between Feb. 10 and April 19, claiming that the comments are false, intended to expose Carpenter to "hatred, contempt and/or ridicule," and made with reckless disregard for the truth.
The comments were generally critical of Carpenter's performance as principal and of the fact that her husband, Dennis Carpenter, is deputy superintendent for operations, overseeing human resources and other school system departments.
In the case of most lawsuits, Lindsey said defendants are notified when they are served papers by the sheriff. "But in a 'John Doe' situation like we have here, they are served by the sheriff at the time their identity is determined," she said.
More like this story
- Alcovy principal names school board member in lawsuit ( June 4, 2012 )
- Citizen attorney will fight subpoena for website comments ( April 30, 2012 )
- Carpenter to withdraw lawsuit against BOE member ( October 9, 2012 )
- Carpenter asks for anonymous commenters to be dismissed from suit ( August 11, 2012 )
- Carpenter asks for anonymous bloggers to be dismissed from suit ( August 10, 2012 )
Comments
goodlordhelpusall 1 year, 1 month ago
Well, I guess the comments hit a little to close to home. I hope people who are thinking of buying a house in that district see that the principal doesn't believe in free speech. oh and if you dont want comments made about the job you do, just do it right.
johndoemo_ 1 year, 1 month ago
You would think she would try to reach out to people more and try to improve instead of sue people.
Zo 1 year, 1 month ago
You act as though the comments about her are true. How did you come to that conclusion?
Staci_Trebarwith 1 year, 1 month ago
Can you say "chilling effect"? I've had my doubts about anonymous web commentary like citizen polls and such, but unfortunately it seems to be the only forum in which many people aren't afraid to criticize and even muckrake.
A slander or libel lawsuit requires that you first establish the falsity of what was said. (Oscar Wilde failed in this aspect and ended up in prison himself as a result.) So you're basically inviting lots of discussion on the things you didn't like hearing. This should be interesting.
What exactly was said?? I'm sure they've all been taken down now.
heresyafacts 1 year, 1 month ago
I doubt this suit will have much traction. For an idea of the Alcovy issue: http://www.newtoncitizen.com/news/201...
socksgirl22 1 year, 1 month ago
If you are a principle get ready for critisism....and if your school is failing and low graduation classes....oh well if the shoe fits....I applaud the parents for standing up for their children and as tax payers they have the right to say what they think"
AWOL 1 year, 1 month ago
I have no experience with newton county schools as a citizen of Conyers but this reaction is typical of bad leadership. It also is a good indicator of why some teachers and parents are using the newspaper to express their true feelings. I would guess that this principal does not have any relevant feedback avenues for teachers or parents. I would guess that she just wants to tell everyone like it is and they deal with it without any real input. When that doesn't work, she wants to attack the people who she has dealt with ineffectively instead of looking into what she could do better. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Sundance 1 year, 1 month ago
Isn't there a privacy policy for these comments? I was sure I clicked on something like that when I registered a user name.
Zo 1 year, 1 month ago
Don't get nervous FAKEDANCE, unless you one of the Does. Maybe the paper will stop these baseless claims by using real names or the paper will start being held accountable.
ctownslimm 1 year, 1 month ago
Let me guess Zo, you are on the side of the principal and think the lawsuit is OK.
heresyafacts 1 year, 1 month ago
Does that surprise you, really?
Zo 1 year, 1 month ago
Keep the fight alive Dr.C! Sadly, these folks want to hide behind those fake names and make baseless claims. I'm old school, whatever you have to say say it to my face, but that attitude speaks volumes to how I was raised.(value system)
Dr. C, over the years to currently, most commenters in this paper have a dislike for African Americans, so this comment section was designed to give them a platform to throw their racial overtone comments and attacks out there for all to read. It's like a virtual hood.
The 2 black commissioners in Conyers, the guy running for sheriff(Ferguson), and myself get attacked continuously in this paper. The common factors are all are African American, educated, and strive for a better quality of life for ALL. And with that said, it's as if those characteristics are against the law in these parts. Continue to be strong and keep the faith
Elmo 1 year, 1 month ago
Suing people who express an opinion is the hallmark of those who want a pass for poor performance. Instead of using the comments as a basis for self-evaluation, or at least constructive-criticism, they are used as "grounds" for defamation suits. I'm not a lawyer, but it seems that such a suit would open up the "discovery" process, and the very things that people have commented about would be investigated to learn the TRUTH. If the comments turn out to be true, then the lawsuit should be null and void. I'm eager to see how this all plays out. Meanwhile, some folks will keep following the examples of National "leadership", i.e. "silence those who question my authority".
buck 1 year, 1 month ago
Why does it say that there are 84 comments and I can only see eight? Maybe somebody is censoring this?
ctownslimm 1 year, 1 month ago
I think it is counting the comments from Covington people. The article appears in the Rockdale and Newton Citizens and that counter might be counting both. If you want to read all those comments, go to the Newton Citizen. It is very interesting.
buck 1 year, 1 month ago
Thanks ctown I think you are correct.
Freshvoice2012 1 year, 1 month ago
Hey ZO home dawg here is the truth. Her school is the lowest performing high school in the county. It was not in 2009. Teachers watched their dating going on even in their neighborhood as they tried to hide it. Can you say nepotism? Clements, NHS (Sams), maintenance nephew, sister teacher and on and on. And we all know what happened to Sams huh. Didn't those two own a business together called Lead Learning LLC at the same time? Her school has huge number of arrests and parents going off at boe meetings. Not a race issue buddy. This is home dawg speaking free
Satan69 1 year, 1 month ago
Alright ZO lets see so now your a hipocrite because your hiding behind a fake name as well. What is sad is you all keep throwing the race card around and noone has mentioned race not once. However you all want to play that go ahead cause all these people with fake names know what has been said.. They can keep up the fight no worries there. The thing that everyone is forgetting is they set this silly lawsuit into place there was really no reason for it period and all the comments I have read have nothing to do with race. So maybe you should read a little bit better then that. You all have nothing better to do then call the race card 24/7.
Wow for educated people you all sure aren't showing eduacted stature. But hey to hear you tell it I'm ignorant so what do I know right? I know this your a hipocrite and go ahead and cheer on whoever you choose cause I just said exactly what is the truth opinion, opinion, opinion. If you can't handle comments being in a Authoratative postition then get out, do you think Obama is going to sue the whole US becuase a few or more don't like him? Hell no he rolls with it. Lets face it ZO not everyone is going to like you, the carpenters or even me for that matter, it doesn't matter if your green, black, white, purple or blue no one cares it is a fact of life GET OVER YOURSELF...
Zo 1 year ago
.Dude, if it quack it's a duck. You don't have to see the duck, because you know the sound. I know the sound of racial statements. You go back and read the comments from a non-virtual hood perspective. Also, not looking to be liked, but damn sure looking to be RESPECTED. Comment all you want, but if you throw a baseless, insulting, racial overtone comment out there it will be addressed. Play fair, intellect on intellect.
OnToday 1 year ago
Zo, explain to us, if this is truly a racial issue, why concerned citizens aren't going after ALL black administrators in the county? I'll tell you why, because they are doing their jobs and not attacking and/or harassing and intimidating people like this principal is. It wouldn't matter what color this principal was, if she is acting this way then she is inviting criticism. Skin color is irrelevant and you know it. You can't defend her so you have to accuse others of racism. Pathetic. Race doesn't matter, job performance does and she is not doing her job. Period.
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