Slashed: $10 million WVIR verdict  A jury handed Jesse Sheckler
the largest defamation verdict ever in Virginia– $10 million–
for WVIR Channel 29's repeated reports that authorities had
confiscated 50 grams of crack and 500 grams of powder cocaine at
Sheckler's Stanardsville home and business in May.  Sheckler was
acquitted of drug conspiracy charges November 2001, and no drugs
were ever found on his property.  Judge Edward L. Hogshire has
set aside the $10 million verdict in a November 7 opinion and
given Sheckler the option of taking a $1 million award or having
a new trial just to determine damages.  "I'm very upset," says
Sheckler, who has until November 21 to decide. "I don't
understand. Here the jury finds them completely guilty, and the
judge says it affects the First Amendment."  Sheckler says he
still is on medication for depression, and that he still has
nightmares. "I haven't decided what I'm going to do," he says.
Jesse Sheckler