O'Neal wins defamation case appeal
A California appeal court has said actor Ryan O’Neal’s defamation case against a man who accused him of stealing a valuable portrait of his long-time partner Farrah Fawcett should be allowed to continue.
A divided panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles said O’Neal, 71, had shown enough potential evidence against Craig Nevius, a one-time collaborator with former Charlie’s Angel Fawcett.
Two justices ruled O’Neal may have enough evidence to show at trial that Mr Nevius’ comments were malicious.
O’Neal sued in July 2011, claiming he was defamed by Mr Nevius’ comments that the actor had stolen a Fawcett portrait created by Andy Warhol.
The painting is the subject of a separate lawsuit between O’Neal and the University of Texas, which claims Fawcett left the artwork to the school after her death in 2009.
