Supporters from across Minnesota turned out to support Alpha News and Alpha News reporter Liz Collin at a hearing in Hennepin County District Court Friday morning. The hearing was connected to the ongoing defamation lawsuit that was filed last year against Alpha News and Collin.
In October of 2024, Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) sued Alpha News, Collin, Dr. JC Chaix, and White Birch Publishing, claiming that she was defamed in the film “The Fall of Minneapolis” and the book “They’re Lying: The Media, the Left, and the Death of George Floyd.”
Specifically, Blackwell alleged that testimony she delivered at former MPD officer Derek Chauvin’s criminal trial was manipulated to portray her as a liar. Blackwell is represented by Jennifer Moore, an attorney with Trautmann Martin Law, PLLC.
In January, Chris Madel, the attorney representing Alpha News, Collin, Chaix, and White Birch Publishing, filed a motion to dismiss the case under the recently passed Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA). An anti-SLAPP law, UPEPA is designed to protect people against legal actions brought with the goal of stifling free speech and burdening critics with court proceedings.
“In addition to the truth and Defendants’ opinion, the fair-reporting privilege, the absence of any constitutional actual malice, and Blackwell’s lack of injury provide independent grounds for this Court to grant Defendants’ special motion. Furthermore, and despite Defendants’ counsel’s offer to sign a waiver-of-service form within the statute of limitations, Blackwell’s claims against Collin and Chaix contravene the two-year statute of limitations applicable to the book,” Madel wrote in court filings.
Friday’s hearing
On Friday morning, Judge Edward T. Wahl heard arguments in the motion to dismiss. At that hearing, private citizens from across Minnesota, including former Minneapolis police officer Alex Kueng, showed up at the Hennepin County Government Center to show their support for Alpha News. In fact, every public seat in the courtroom was full, and dozens of Minnesotans were in the hallway outside the courtroom.
Collin and Chaix were in attendance at the hearing; Blackwell was not.
During court proceedings, Madel argued UPEPA provides special protections to journalists and news organizations, and that not dismissing the case would have a chilling effect on First Amendment rights.
“It was a bipartisan bill brought up for situations like this because they want to avoid the chilling effect on the media of having cases like this going forward,” said Madel regarding UPEPA’s passage.
He also frequently charged that Blackwell’s attorneys presented “nothing” in response to the arguments he made in the motion to dismiss.
“All I can do is shadow box with a smart judge about potential arguments that might have been made but were not,” Madel said.
“Don’t make me litigate against you,” he added, speaking to Judge Wahl. “I shouldn’t have to argue against you because Blackwell failed to bring forth evidence.”
Judge Wahl frequently pressed Madel on his arguments throughout the hearing, saying the judiciary doesn’t typically “end cases in the beginning, we end cases at the end.”
“That sounds like an excellent case to make before the legislature, but that’s not what the law says,” Madel responded, referring to UPEPA.
The case involves statements made by Blackwell during Derek Chauvin’s criminal trial in which she said the maneuver Chauvin used on George Floyd was not trained by the Minneapolis Police Department.
“Knee on neck, knee on neck, knee on neck, knee on neck. More, more, more. Look at all the officers watching,” Madel said, flipping through a slideshow of images showing MPD training. “Literally every cop knows that that was trained.”
Madel also took issue with the opposing counsel’s reference to some of his arguments as “fancy jargon.”
“That fancy jargon is Minnesota law,” Madel retorted. He said several legal principles, such as the substantial truth doctrine and the fair reporting privilege, provide “independent bases for summary judgment.”
Opposing the motion to dismiss, Moore said the case “centers on a calculated campaign to defame [Blackwell]” and that the book and the film were an “interconnected” effort to that end.
Moore asked the judge to consider that the “harm to Assistant Chief Blackwell” has been “significant” and “ongoing.” Blackwell’s attorney urged the judge not to dismiss the case based on UPEPA, instead asking the judge to follow standard rules and procedure by letting the case continue.
However, Madel argued that UPEPA alters the normal process and allows for defendants to seek expedited relief without the need for discovery or a trial.
Judge Wahl said he has 60 days to consider the arguments from both sides and decide whether to dismiss the case. If the case is not dismissed, UPEPA gives Madel the opportunity to appeal the matter directly to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
UPEPA only became Minnesota state law in May 2024. As such, these proceedings represent one of the first significant cases involving the new law.
Alpha News and @lizcollin attorney Chris Madel after today's court hearing: 'Katie Blackwell didn't even show up to court today. That should show you exactly who Katie Blackwell is and how strong she thinks her case is.' pic.twitter.com/rqVARqC4jS
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) February 7, 2025
Following the hearing, Madel spoke to the gathered press saying, “The world is run by those who show up and do hard work. Time and time again, Liz Collin has shown up, done the hard work, and she’s done it with grace, with honor, with integrity, and with courage.”
“Katie Blackwell didn’t even show up to court today,” added Madel. “That should show you exactly who Katie Blackwell is and how strong she thinks her case is.”
Luke Sprinkel contributed to this report.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
