Peterson et al v. Grisham et al
Plaintiff William N. Peterson and Gary L. Rogers sued defendants John Grisham, Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Random House Inc., Robert Mayer, Broadway Books, Dennis Fritz, Seven
Locks Press Inc., James C. Riordan and Barry Scheck concerning three publications Journey Toward Justice by Dennis Fritz, The Innocent Man by John Grisham, and The
Dreams of Ada by Robert Mayer. Plaintiffs contend that these three publications contain false statements, half-truths, incomplete information, and omissions of material facts
designed to bring about great public hatred, contempt and ridicule of the plaintiffs, as well as cause the plaintiffs to be deprived of public confidence and be injured in their
professions and occupations.
Additional Resources
| Plaintiffs: | William N. Peterson, Gary Rogers and Melvin R. Hett |
|---|---|
| Defendants: | John Grisham, Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Random House, Inc., Robert Mayer, Broadway Books, Dennis Fritz, Seven Locks Press, Inc., James C. Riordan and Barry Scheck |
| Case Number: | 6:2007cv00317 |
| Filed: | September 28, 2007 |
| Court: | Oklahoma Eastern District Court |
| Office: | Muskogee Office [ Court Info ] |
| County: | Pontotoc |
| Presiding Judge: | Mag. Judge Steven P. Shreder |
| Presiding Judge: | Mag. Judge Kimberly E. West |
| Nature of Suit: | Torts - Injury - Assault, Libel, and Slander |
| Cause: | 28:1332 Diversity-Libel,Assault,Slander |
| Jurisdiction: | Diversity |
| Jury Demanded By: | Plaintiff |
Available Case Documents
Some selected documents for this case are included below.
| Date Filed | # | Document Text |
|---|---|---|
| September 28, 2007 | 1 | CIVIL COVER SHEET by William N. Peterson, Gary L. Rogers (pjw, Deputy Clerk) |
| September 28, 2007 | 2 | COMPLAINT with Jury Demand against Random House, Inc., Robert Mayer, Broadway Books, Dennis Fritz, Seven Locks Press, Inc., James C. Riordan, Barry Scheck, John Grisham, Doubleday Dell Publishing Group by William N. Peterson, Gary L. Rogers (pjw, Deputy Clerk) |
| September 28, 2007 | 3 | PRAECIPE for 7 Summons by William N. Peterson, Gary L. Rogers (pjw, Deputy Clerk) |
| September 28, 2007 | 4 | SUMMONS Issued by Court Clerk as to John Grisham (pjw, Deputy Clerk) |
| September 28, 2007 | 5 | SUMMONS Issued by Court Clerk as to Random House, Inc., Broadway Books, Doubleday Dell Publishing Group (pjw, Deputy Clerk) |
| September 28, 2007 | 6 | SUMMONS Issued by Court Clerk as to Robert Mayer (pjw, Deputy Clerk) |
| September 28, 2007 | 7 | SUMMONS Issued by Court Clerk as to Seven Locks Press, Inc. (pjw, Deputy Clerk) |
| September 28, 2007 | 8 | SUMMONS Issued by Court Clerk as to Dennis Fritz (pjw, Deputy Clerk) |
| September 28, 2007 | 9 | SUMMONS Issued by Court Clerk as to James C. Riordan (pjw, Deputy Clerk) |
| September 28, 2007 | 10 | SUMMONS Issued by Court Clerk as to Barry Scheck (pjw, Deputy Clerk) |
| September 28, 2007 | 11 | FILING FEES Paid in Full by William N. Peterson, Gary L. Rogers (pjw, Deputy Clerk) |
| October 1, 2007 | 12 |
|
| October 4, 2007 | 15 |
|
| October 8, 2007 | 16 | AMENDED COMPLAINT with Jury Demand against all defendants (Re: 2 Complaint, ) by William N. Peterson (Richardson, Charles) |
| October 16, 2007 | 17 | MAIL to Seven Locks Press, Inc. c/o D. Calvin Kytle Returned - marked return to sender, not deliverable as addressed, unable to forward, has not been at address for 16 years. (Re: 12) (tah, Deputy Clerk) |
| October 18, 2007 | 18 | PRAECIPE filed by William N. Peterson, Gary Rogers and Melvin R. Hett and five (5) summons issued (law, Deputy Clerk) |
| October 18, 2007 | 19 | SUMMONS Issued by Court Clerk as to Barry Scheck (law, Deputy Clerk) |
| October 18, 2007 | 20 | SUMMONS Issued by Court Clerk as to Dennis Fritz (law, Deputy Clerk) |
| October 18, 2007 | 21 | SUMMONS Issued by Court Clerk as to James C. Riordan (law, Deputy Clerk) |
| October 18, 2007 | 22 | SUMMONS Issued by Court Clerk as to John Grisham (law, Deputy Clerk) |
| October 18, 2007 | 23 | SUMMONS Issued by Court Clerk as to Robert Mayer (law, Deputy Clerk) |
| October 24, 2007 | 24 | MAIL to Robert Mayer, 3021 Springo Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87507-5038 Returned - marked attempted - not known - unable to forward. Not remailed. (Re: 15 Order setting Scheduling Conference) (tah, Deputy Clerk) |
| October 29, 2007 | 25 | MAIL to Seven Locks Press, Inc. c/o D. Calvin Kytle Returned - marked unable to forward - no longer at this address. Not remailed. (Re: 15 Order setting Scheduling Conference) (tah, Deputy Clerk) |
| November 1, 2007 | 26 | ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by Robert D. Nelon on behalf of Random House, Inc., Robert Mayer, Broadway Books, Barry Scheck, John Grisham, Doubleday Dell Publishing Group (Nelon, Robert) |
| November 1, 2007 | 27 | NOTICE of District Judge Option by Random House, Inc., Robert Mayer, Broadway Books, Barry Scheck, John Grisham, Doubleday Dell Publishing Group (Nelon, Robert) |
| November 1, 2007 | 28 | ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by Jon Alan Epstein on behalf of Random House, Inc., Robert Mayer, Broadway Books, Barry Scheck, John Grisham, Doubleday Dell Publishing Group (Epstein, Jon) |
| November 5, 2007 | 30 | ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by Ashley Bowen Murphy on behalf of Random House, Inc., Robert Mayer, Broadway Books, Barry Scheck, John Grisham, Doubleday Dell Publishing Group (Murphy, Ashley) |
| November 8, 2007 | 34 | MOTION for Attorney Cheryl A. Pilate to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice by Seven Locks Press, Inc., James C. Riordan; Responses due by 11/23/2007, Replies due by 12/4/2007.(cjt, Deputy Clerk) |
| November 8, 2007 | 35 | PRO HAC VICE FEES Paid for attorney(s) Cheryl A. Pilate in the amount of $50.00 (Re: 34 MOTION for Attorney Cheryl A. Pilate to be Admitted Pro Hac Vice ) by Seven Locks Press, Inc., James C. Riordan (cjt, Deputy Clerk) |
| November 8, 2007 | 36 | ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by Ron Wright on behalf of Seven Locks Press, Inc. (Wright, Ron) |
| November 8, 2007 | 37 | ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by Ron Wright on behalf of James C. Riordan (Wright, Ron) |
| November 8, 2007 | 38 | First MOTION for Extension of Time to Answer (Re: 16 Amended Complaint ) by James C. Riordan Responses due by 11/23/2007,Replies due by 12/4/2007.(Wright, Ron) |
| November 8, 2007 | 39 | First MOTION for Extension of Time to Answer (Re: 16 Amended Complaint ) by Seven Locks Press, Inc. Responses due by 11/23/2007,Replies due by 12/4/2007.(Wright, Ron) |
| November 9, 2007 | 40 |
|
| November 9, 2007 | 41 | RULE 7.1 Disclosure by Seven Locks Press, Inc (Wright, Ron) Modified on 11/15/2007 to correct docket text and term pending motion (law, Deputy Clerk). |
| November 15, 2007 | 43 |
|
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| Plaintiff: William N. Peterson | |
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| Defendant: John Grisham | |
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| Defendant: Doubleday Dell Publishing Group | |
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| Defendant: Random House, Inc. | |
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| Defendant: Robert Mayer | |
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| Defendant: Broadway Books | |
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| Defendant: Dennis Fritz | |
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| Defendant: Seven Locks Press, Inc. | |
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| Defendant: James C. Riordan | |
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| Defendant: Barry Scheck | |
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| Plaintiff: Gary Rogers | |
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