Emily Zubaid v. Richard Beelner, Jr.
|
|
|
| Case Name: | Emily Zubaid v. Richard Beelner, Jr. |
| Case Number: | LACV042157 |
| Date of Trial: | 10/02/2025 |  | Venue: | Plymouth County |
|
| Casetype/Claims: | CIVIL LAW - LIBEL/SLANDER/DEFAMATION |
|
| Judge: | Jeffrey Neary |
|
| Plaintiff's Counsel: | Patrick Sealey and Liam Mangan | | Defendant's Counsel: | Harold Widdison |
| |
| Verdict: | For Defendant |
|
| Demand Before Trial: | |
| Offer Before Trial: | |
|
Statement of Case:
Emily Zubaid brought this claim against Richard Beelner, Jr. Emily Zubaid claimed that Richard Beelner, Jr., defamed her on July 15, 2023.
Richard Beelner, Jr., was the brother of Michael Beelner. Emily Zubaid was Michael Beelner’s daughter. Michael Beelner passed away on September 6, 2025. Michael Beelner was cremated. Richard Beelner, Jr., and his sister, Ann Beelner, texted each other on July 15, 2023. During the text conversation, Richard Beelner, Jr., talked about Michael Beelner’s death and cremation and said, “to me it looks like he was put down, [Michael Beelner’s wife’s] cremation took weeks….. Mike’s took several days….. what better way to destroy the evidence, no autopsy, cremation destroys everything. Pretty hard to do an autopsy on a box of ashes.” It was not in dispute that Richard Beelner, Jr., made this statement to Ann Beelner.
Emily Zubaid, claimed Richard Beelner, Jr.’s, statement was about her, and that the statement constitutes defamation. Richard Beelner, Jr., claimed that the statement was a protected opinion, not defamation. |
| | | | |
| Injuries alleged: | |
|
| Official Jury Verdict Form: |
 Zubaid v. Beelnr Verdict Form.PDF |
| | | | |
Documents of interest:
(when available) |  Zubaid v. Beelnr Final Jury Instructions.PDF |
| | | | |
Back to View
Return to Jury Verdict Home |
Access EDMS for more details on this case.
Disclaimer of Liability: The Iowa States Bar Association presents the information as a service to our members. While the information on this site is about legal issues, it is not legal advice. Moreover, due to the rapidly changing nature of the law and our reliance on information provided by outside sources, we make no warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy or reliability of the content at this site or at other sites to which we link. |