Valadez v. Emmis Communications

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Rosen, J.:

Emmis Communications and Todd Spessard appeal from the jury verdict decided against them in a tort action relating to their news coverage of the arrest of a suspect in the BTK case. Melanie Valadez, the administrator of the Estate of Roger G. Val-adez (Estate), cross-appeals from the judgment of the district court limiting the amount and scope of damages.

From 1974 to 1986, a series of at least eight homicides in the Wichita, Kansas, area were linked to an individual who identified himself as BTK (Bind, Torture, Kill). BTK was not identified…