Texas Jury Sides With Mrs. Osteen

Flight Attendant Had Charged She Was Assaulted By Pastor's Wife

(AP)  The wife of televangelist Joel Osteen did not assault a flight attendant during an angry tirade over a stain on her first-class seat, a jury ruled Thursday.

Jurors rejected Continental Airlines flight attendant Sharon Brown's claims that Victoria Osteen threw her against a bathroom door and elbowed her in the left breast while attempting to rush the cockpit because she was angry that a stain on her seat's armrest was not quickly cleaned up.

"I'm glad it's over," Victoria Osteen said afterward. "I expected it because it's the truth and I know the truth always stands firm."

Joel Osteen said he and his family hold no ill will toward Brown.

"It's a great vindication and shows us the faithfulness of God," he said.

Brown was suing for at least $405,000 for physical and mental pain suffered as a result of the attack she alleged had occurred before takeoff aboard a December 2005 flight from Houston to Vail, Colo.

Brown's attorney, Reginald McKamie, said afterward, "We're disappointed in the verdict."

Victoria Osteen and her husband, who also was aboard the flight, testified that the alleged assault never happened. Three first-class passengers and a pilot aboard testified Wednesday they never saw or heard anything that indicated Victoria Osteen assaulted Brown.

Another flight attendant, Maria Johnson, supported Brown's claims. Both flight attendants testified they had to block the cockpit door to prevent Victoria Osteen from getting inside.

Brown's side earlier sought an apology and punitive damages amounting to 10 percent of Victoria Osteen's net worth as part of her lawsuit. Victoria Osteen's attorney, Rusty Hardin, has declined to discuss her finances. It was unclear what percentage of her net worth the $405,000 might be.

Victoria Osteen told jurors she went up to Brown after no one helped her clean up the spill. She said it was Brown who became angry during their discussion. Victoria Osteen denied ever touching Brown or trying to get into the cockpit.

Hardin tried to cast doubt Brown suffered any physical or mental injuries. Under cross-examination, Brown acknowledged that doctors found no physical injuries on her and she delayed getting psychiatric treatment.

Claudia Hall, a former Continental flight attendant, testified by video deposition she was falsely accused by Brown of hitting and pushing her into the bathroom wall of a plane in November 1995.

The Osteens are co-pastors of Lakewood Church, which draws about 42,000 people each week for services. Joel Osteen's weekly television address is broadcast in the U.S. and internationally and his books are sold around the globe.

The Osteens paid a $3,000 fine the Federal Aviation Administration levied against Victoria Osteen for interfering with a crew member but testified they did that to put it behind them.

[pollroller1]

I had a feeling that the flight attendant''s claim was bogus. Victoria Osteens just does not appear to be a person that would do something like that.

[incog-nito]

The jury might have been more sympathetic to the plaintiff if she was just asking for medical damages and a specific, reasonable amount for "pain and suffering". But 10% of the defendant''s net worth, without even knowing what it would be? The jury clearly saw that this was extortion, pure and simple.

[jennmarikp]

I''m not surprised . . I thought she would get away with it because she has $$$. That''s the way the court system works. Does everyone remember O.J.? He even wrote a book about it afterwards, do you really believe he''s innocent? Mrs. Osteen''s behavior will probably get worse now.

[gop_forever]

I am so relieved. Afterall she is more religios than the flight attendant.

[incog-nito]

When you sue for compensation, you need to be able to justify to the jury why you are entitled to a certain amount. To ask for 10% of a wealthy person''s asset without knowing what it is, tells the jury that you see a rich person and you''re just after their money. Very unwise.

[displeased]

She''s hot!

[ann3332]

The truth has won. I for one did not believe that Victoria osteen would do such a thing. Im glad she won.

[johnstossel]

I''m glad that this went the way it did. If some poor drunk passenger did this she wouldn''t have sued. She saw the Osteen''s and saw dollar signs. Victoria may have done something but it isn''t worth 10% of her wealth. I hope Brown''s attorney gets stiffed on this; he should have known better! I don''t necessarily like the Osteen''s but they don''t deserve to be robbed. I am glad that common sense prevailed!!!

[closethippy1]

The Olsteen get their money by lying about their faith and about what the Bible really means.
Throw away your possesions and follow me, Jesus said. I dare any televangelist to do that!
Nothing wrong then about lying to get some of the money the Olsteen have stolen from their meek followers.

[shippg]

"Claudia Hall, a former Continental flight attendant, testified by video deposition that she was falsely accused by Brown of hitting and pushing her into the bathroom wall of a plane in November 1995."

So she tried the same claim again, but against someone rich. Did they not KNOW about this previous case? It should have been dismissed before trial. I hope the attendant gets fired this time. What a gold digger.

[paris1969]

the jury was against her because she is black and mrs osteen looks like a "typical-white-person"

[rematenaj]

Paris 1969, your statement is ridiculous. Quit playing the race card! It''s really old.

[yourpointis]

Paris1969 - That is just stupid!!! He won because there were multiple witnesses that stated Olsteen didn''t act anywhere NEAR what the flight attendant had claimed. Plus, hearing on the news here in Texas on radio and TV, the flight attendant said Olsteen had given her hemorrhoids....one of the reasons for her suing. A bit over the top, eh? Quit playing the race card, it has no bearing here. Olsteen won because of witness accounts and facts alone.

[rational_1]

the jury was against her because she is black and mrs osteen looks like a "typical-white-person"
Posted by paris1969 at 04:32 PM : Aug 14, 2008

If da glove don''t fit, ya must acquit. Guess it works both ways.

Who cares anyway - asking for all that money just for being shoved (if it did happen) is obnoxious in any case.

[newmark3]

This is obnoxious, I am african american and I beleive in what is right and what is wrong. The flight attendanet saw $$ signs and thought she could get paid. This case is not about color but about and Sick minded golded digger that thought she could lie and get a lottery meal out of it. I love Joel and Victoria Osteen and I watch them every Sunday. They are my spiritual uplift on Sunday night that helps me get thru the week. Way to go Victoria GOD got the victory in this.

[marbru-2009]

I''m glad to see the money grubber didn''t get a dime - it would appear she''s tried the same ploy before.

[galaxiana]

Everyone seems to have missed the point that this whole brouhaha could have been avoided if Ms. Brown had simply cleaned up the little spot of water.

Instead, she went and got napkins and handed them to Mrs. Olsteen instead, telling her to clean it up herself. I''d be mad, too, if a flight attendant acted this way. Would it have killed Brown to take a swipe with the napkins and eliminate the problem, making a customer happy in the process? Whatever happened to service, especially in First Class, where people pay through the nose to go the same place the rest of us are going for 1/20th of the cost?

Hopefully, Brown was fired for her unhelpful and insubordinate attitude.

[galaxiana]

Everyone seems to have missed the point that this whole brouhaha could have been avoided if Ms. Brown had simply cleaned up the little spot of water.

Instead, she went and got napkins and handed them to Mrs. Olsteen instead, telling her to clean it up herself. I''d be mad, too, if a flight attendant acted this way. Would it have killed Brown to take a swipe with the napkins and eliminate the problem, making a customer happy in the process? Whatever happened to service, especially in First Class, where people pay through the nose to go the same place the rest of us are going for 1/20th of the cost?

Hopefully, Brown was fired for her unhelpful and insubordinate attitude.

[neoconslayer]

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven...
Joel Osteen and Victoria Osteen: Serving Satan one dollar at a time.

[susanhelit]

I could believe a lot of an entitled, privileged, self-righteous televangilists wife - but the actual facts show she''s innocent, and the flight attendant is a money grubber going for a jackpot. I''m glad the jury got it. The flight attendant should have been countersued - this was just an obvious hoax from the beginning - anytime your damages are hemmhoroids and losing your faith - it''s clear this is nothing but a scam.

[rickstas]

Flight attendants on US airlines need to be taught that the customer is the boss, not the other way around.

[cdfoxtrot2]

Flight attendants on US airlines need to be taught that the customer is the boss, not the other way around.

Posted by rickstas

Agreed. I''m surprised we haven''t had episodes of stewards tazering passengers, when they decide they don''t want to give them a drink or let them use the restroom.

Also, I don''t understand why the two stewards say they had to block the doorway to the pilots cabin in order to prevent the elderly lady from storming it. Since 9/11, didn''t airlines get billions in taxpayer money to do things like bolster security and put up bullet proof doors that are kept locked at all times during flight?

[lfitts1]

Flight attendants on US airlines need to be taught that the customer is the boss, not the other way around.

Posted by rickstas

Wrong..this is a matter of safety--they re not waiters and waitresses..passengers think they can get drunk and abuse these people--they cannot..you are on a plane that is in the air--not in a restaurant

[s1ckd09]

the jury was against her because she is black and mrs osteen looks like a "typical-white-person"

--------------------------------------

Posted by paris1969 at 04:32 PM : Aug 14, 2008


Wow... I''ve seen some pretty stupid things said before by some pretty stupid people, and this is right up there at the top. Absolutely nothing logical about your thinking, ignoring the evidence and witnesses, and just having a narrow, completely racially motivated view. Just wow.

[susanhelit]

The plane was not in the air. The unquestioned story is that Osteen goes to her seat, finds some unknown liquid on the armrest, and asks for it to be cleaned off, or for a napkin to do it herself before she will sit down. They weren''t in the air.

[jankebenz]

The Olsteen get their money by lying about their faith and about what the Bible really means.
Throw away your possesions and follow me, Jesus said. I dare any televangelist to do that!
Nothing wrong then about lying to get some of the money the Olsteen have stolen from their meek followers.

Posted by closethippy1 at 04:26 PM : Aug 14, 2008

So then by your way of thinking, christians lie and steal to fleece the flock of money which justifies lying and stealing to get it back. Typical lack of reasoning skills and abundant bigotry from the atheist immorals. Its more than obvious who was lying and stealing in this case. Truth wins over low life liers.

[jankebenz]

I remember there being lots of big mouthed, finger pointing ,anti christian posters on this story a few weeks back, ready to lynch Mrs. Osteen. The truth has come out, and of course the mob has scurried back into their holes.

[gentryfunk-2009]

Would Jesus Fly First Class?

[thcarson-2009]

The Olsteen get their money by lying about their faith and about what the Bible really means.
Throw away your possesions and follow me, Jesus said. I dare any televangelist to do that!
Nothing wrong then about lying to get some of the money the Olsteen have stolen from their meek followers.

Posted by closethippy1 at 04:26 PM : Aug 14, 2008

You don''t know what you''re talking about, Joel Osteen doesn''t even take a salary from Lakewood Church, He makes his money off his books.

[dedad1]

Would Jesus Fly First Class?

Posted by gentryfunk at 06:46 PM : Aug 14, 2008

No, He wouldnt....That is hysterical, but also convicting.....

[haoli25]

Poor Victoria. She and I need to pray together, naked.

[jankebenz]

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven...
Joel Osteen and Victoria Osteen: Serving Satan one dollar at a time.

Posted by neoconslayer at 05:54 PM : Aug 14, 2008


Well,well,well, what have we here? another christian slaying atheist using bible verses to spew his venom.
Here.s a verse for your kind, take heed.

Matthew 23:33 You serpents, you generation of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell?

[patriot12436]

PARIS1969
AND YOU WONDER WHAT MAKES WHITES PREJUDICE.

[patriot12436]

cdfoxtrot
I have noticed the door to the cockpit isn''t usually closed until the outer door is closed also. This might be a weak link in their security.

[patriot12436]

Iam usually on the side of the flight crew but i said from the start i wanted to hear the evidence in this case. I am glad justice has prevailed.

[patriot12436]

jennmarikp
If you remember oj''s case was sold down the river by a white prosecutor sleeping with his attorney. I also think he is guilty but if i had been on the jury i would have voted not guilty. A prosecutor cannot make that many mistakes without trying.

[rplat]

Just another cheap rip-off artist attempting to suck money out of celebrities. Osteen should now sue her false accuser for character assasination.

[jankebenz]

"It''''s a great vindication and shows us the faithfulness of God," he said.

LMAO! What an idiot, as if god had anything to do with the verdict! Why didn''''t god toss the case out to begin with? LOL!

Posted by Voltaire777 at 08:37 PM : Aug 14, 2008

Both your comments clearly show who the idiot is and your support of opportunist crime.

[pollroller1]

I am an atheist and I don''t care much for these TV preachers, but I just don''t believe Victoria did this. She could have been angry about a spill and maybe said things to the attendant that were not very nice, but I don''t believe she attacked her and she certainly didn''t do anything to justify the kind of money she was seeking. I know these preachers get their money from brainwashed people, but people give it to them of their own free will. It''s their money, if they want to give it to the Osteens, well that is their business. I wish I was talented enough to pull off something like that.

[toldyouso12]

Bwaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! Now, they should fire that two bit flight attendant money grubber.

[toldyouso12]

The flight attendant had a history of making up stories about assault and trying to retire from it--this is a case of her greediness a prior history being her own worst enemy. Good for the Osteens--no matter how much money a person has, they should be shielded from opportunistic leeches who would make up anything to get a piece of the pie. If the pastor''s wife had been a man, Brown probably would have said he squeezed her lying azz. Par for the coarse. (pun and misspelling intended)

[hazelknows]

Just another cheap rip-off artist attempting to suck money out of celebrities. Osteen should now sue her false accuser for character assasination.

Posted by rplat at 08:26 PM : Aug 14, 2008



Celebrity my ***, the fame is from bilking people out of money, promising them heaven. Leaches, that is where all the monies come from and goes to the corporation. I am sure that is just what Jesus wanted, billed an empire while homeless people starve. Televangelist are jackals.

[tibu987]

god got her off.

Now, if god would just let me win the lottery.

Sheeeeesh!

[kepi5oh]

While a jury did not find Mrs Osteen guilty of assault. An FAA investigation did find cause to fine her for interfering with a flight crew. A crime. The Osteen''s paid this fine therefore accepting the independant evaluation by the FAA because they knew it to be true. Later under oath, she states this was just to put it behind them. The FAA does not fine problem travlers for nothing. Thank Jesus that Mrs Osteen has no morals about lying under oath. Send them more seed money please. You too can have a relationship with Christ. Lie and then just ask for forgivness.

[rebelscout]

Again the religious right get their way!

[cacameltoe]

Sharon Brown should have called Big Al and Company to assist since Johnny Cochran is deceased. Sharon should have insisted that Victoria try on the glove. Whooops, wrong trial.

Anybody responding to these things is an idiot anyway, Whoops, I just did. NEVER MIND!

[andor3]

"It''s a great vindication and shows us the faithfulness of God," Joel Osteen said.

hehe he REALLY said that! god has faith in him. kinda thought it should be the other way.

[joelosteen1]

MY WIFE REALLY DID IT..VICTORIA IS A B&^%CH SHE''S SLAPPED ME AROUND ABIT..

[joelosteen1]

MY WIFE REALLY DID IT..VICTORIA IS A B&^%CH SHE''S SLAPPED ME AROUND ABIT..

[joelosteen1]

MY WIFE REALLY DID IT..VICTORIA IS A B&^%CH SHE''S SLAPPED ME AROUND ABIT..