An Alabama jury found The New York Times liable for defamation and false light in a lawsuit filed by Kai Spears, a former University of Alabama walk-on basketball player, and awarded $9.25 million in damages. The case stems from a 2023 article describing Spears' presence at the scene of a fatal shooting involving teammates. Supported facts establish Spears' walk-on status, friendships, and location during the incident, while the verdict marks the first such loss for the Times in over 50 years.