Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Mel Red Recana, has denied actor James Woods’ motion to try to discover the identity of the Twitter user who has been sending abusive tweets to the actor, including one where he accused Woods of being a “cocaine addict.”
Woods claims that the accusatory tweet that was sent on July 15 went too far and filed a lawsuit, suing the defendant who tweets under the handle Abe List for $10 million (that is indeed the correct amount and not a typo). The order that was issued this Monday by the Judge reads as follows:
“As to discovery of defendant Abe List’s identity, plaintiff has not met his burden of showing good cause. Defamation plaintiffs are not entitled to use legal process to pierce the anonymity of internet speakers unless they can make a prima facie case.”
Woods filed the suit in July, not only referencing the cocaine addict tweet but mentions previous tweets by List in which he referred to the actor as a “prick,” “clown-boy,” “joke,” “ridiculous” and “scum.” The suit also mentions that “malicious behavior, through the worldwide use of the internet, has now jeopardized Woods’ good name and reputation on an international scale.”
It looks like Woods may have to take solace with the trusty block button on Twitter to keep his detractors at bay in the interim.
(Via The Wrap)
