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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Drunk and in Jail, but Not Fair Game

LAS VEGAS (CN) - An "extremely intoxicated" woman claims in court that Turner Broadcasting Systems defamed her by broadcasting footage of her in jail without her permission - and even if they got her permission, she was incompetent to give it.

Lenette Beall sued TBS and Langley Productions in Clark County Court.

She claims they defamed her, showed her in false light, misappropriated her likeness and intentionally inflicted emotional distress by showing her on the so-called reality show, "Inside American Jail."

Beall was arrested April 10, 2010, "for purportedly driving under the influence of alcohol," according to the complaint.

She was taken to Clark County Detention Center for processing and booking.

That's where Langley Productions shot footage of her for its show on TruTV, which is owned by TBS.

Beall claims she was "extremely intoxicated at the time and does not recall signing a release or waiver giving Langley or Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department permission to use plaintiff's image." She claims that Langley and/or its agents "obtained footage of the plaintiff without her consent because she was not mentally competent to sign a release or authorization."

Beall claims says the film was edited to show her being questioned about her arrest and officials "seeking admissions about the crime she was accused of committing in violation of her Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights to remain silent."

"The footage was edited, staged and sensationalized in an effort to demean the plaintiff," Beall says. "The segment was edited intentionally to insinuate that plaintiff had no remorse for her actions."

She claims the defendants used the episode in reruns and promotions, on TV and on the Internet, subjecting her to "ridicule, scorn and unwanted recognition for the way she was portrayed on Inside American Jail."

She says even her children have been ridiculed and embarrassed as a result of the TV show.

She seeks punitive damages.

She is represented by Cal J. Potter III.

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