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.

[badmac933]

For you rocket scientists that think Ms.Osteen got off because she has major bucks: You don''t think (of course you can''t) the jury noticed that the highly intelligent flight attendent wanted 10% of the Osteen''s fortune? For what?....stress-related hemorrhoids growing out of her nose? Butt...whatever. Certain people will try anything to get a buck they didn''t work for, or deserve.

[tootall10142]

The head lines could read :Chimpanzee sh---t ball fight escalates to primate revolution.Some one would interject obama or mccain into the story.Completely losing all track of the subject matter of the article.

[roger995]

Joel isn''t an honest person his word can''t be trusted , he denied Jesus is the only way to heaven when Larry King put the pressure on him. Joel always preaches about being a conquer and not giving into fear etc.. he is a big hypocrite and has proven to be the world''s biggest chicken denying Jesus on Larry king . Joel is full of the fear of man not the fear of God,Joel will mess up your spiritual life if you listen to him. See here for proof:http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0612/22/lkl.01.html

[hwy71so]

Just because the partisan committee presents us with what THEY deem to be our choices, doesn''t mean we have to support or vote for them. Even if Obama gets elected, it will not be because I voted for him. When I vote I will vote my conscience. I can not consciously vote for McCain and do that. So, I will write my choice in the space provided if there be one. Keeping someone out of office is not an excuse to vote for someone else. How are we to get the good people in if we keep voting against the not so good people? We have to vote FOR the good people.

[lochlan-2009]

It''s sad to see how many religion swindling people take advantage of the mentally handicap and uneducated in this country. It is quite apparent these swindlers are not satisfied with a mear modest take out of these mostly poor people and obviously need millions of $$$ to bring the "word of God". That said, I''m really tired of false accusations by, let''s hope we get rich quick by making a false claim scammers. Brown should be brought up on charges for all the false claims she made and the costs they imposed. Can''t we go back to the old days when we would put peoples arms and heads in blocks for several days, for the whole town to laugh at and make fun of.

The clash of the swindlers.

[hwy71so]

What are you talking about? She dressed professionally and her breasts aren''''t hanging out...unfortunately. They aren''''t hanging out any worse than the lady walking behind her.

Posted by Displeased at 10:30 AM : Aug 15, 2008

Apparently, you''re not a man. Just because there''s material on top of a lady''s breast it doesn''t mean she''s covered. We call that "suggestive" where I come from. A looser jacket, would be much more appropriate. But, what does she care? She''s already filling a man''s role within her church.

[displeased]

If you are a so-called Christian, there is no way you should be voting for the self-proclaimed Muslim, Barack Hussein Obama....
Posted by nolle61

Your ignorance is making you look bad. Or are you using this muslim hype to push your neocon agenda? The educated people know better...

[hwy71so]

"...Obama 2008 :-)

Posted by shayjo at 09:55 AM : Aug 15, 2008"

I was agreeing with you up to this point. No true Christian could support Barrack Obama. He is pro abortion, pro homosexual, and chose to step around the man who was mugged and left in the ditch to die (he voted against the Iraq war). 3 of the greater charges in the New Testament, Christ''s testament.

And NO, McCain is NOT the answer either. The BEST choice would have been Duncan Hunter...

[displeased]

''''Sorry to disappoint the mislead writer bu yes, BARACK OBAMA IS A MUSLIM. He attended Muslim school most of his life and he maintains himself that he will side with the Muslims in the event of split in out governmental system.
Posted by nolle61

Your theory doesn''t prove anything. I attended bible school and church most of my life and now I''m an atheist. Obama will win and fix the mess that you neocons created.

[timdgrim]

The flight attendant was probably an oppurtunist when it came to this, since there is a relatable history.
However, this Osteen woman is a tramp, who is married to a man that probably makes millions off of people that can least afford it by preying on their weaknesses. Just the kind of person Jesus would abhore. But, the pulpits are full of his kind.

[displeased]

No, but a little modesty goes a LONG way.
Posted by Hwy71So

What are you talking about? She dressed professionally and her breasts aren''t hanging out...unfortunately. They aren''t hanging out any worse than the lady walking behind her.

[shayjo-2009]

Dear DaVicar2;

I tend to ignore nonsense, but in this case, I must address that fact that Mr. Obama is NOT a muslim hd is a CHRISTIAN. And also, YES it is a christian thing to vote for any one who will hold up morality, values and fair play. Do we believe in a constitution where we hold these princples of religious tolerance and freedom? You know, way back in Jesus'' day there were a group of people called the Samaratins who were shoned by people of repute. They were considered heathens and gentiles and yet it was this very group of people that Jesus chose to minitser to through the famous woman at the well. Let us be fair and open minded. We hold these truths to be self evident that ALL men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain unaniable rights....among these are truth, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Mr. Obama makes me happy!! God bless - shayjo

[shayjo-2009]

Because you are a christian doesn''t mean you have to look beat down! It is about modesty and a sense of fair play. While I am sure Jesus may not have flown first class or wore "bling" to court, I am equally sure that he looke presentable and was not a eccentric standout like his fore runner John (who by the way is a way cool dude). But, what bother''s me about this story is not the money grab, but perception. Whether or not Mrs. Osteen won or loss is not important. What I clearly feel is important is that this whole affair sheds a light on what I call the "prosperity and feel good ministries". They are mostly style over substance and cater to the here and now and clearly Jesus said: "My Kingdom is NOT of this world". He also pointed out that as christians we should be in the world but NOT of it. We have no right to Judge the Osteens, Sharon Brown or any other person, but we can be fruit insepectors. The fruits of the spirit and by extension, christianity are: "Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindess, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and SELF CONTROL." Galatians 5:22. Live it. Love it. Witness it!! Peace -- Shayjo
Also, Obama 2008 :-)

[haoli25]

And this Osteen woman. She could''''ve at least wore a jacket that fit her rather than one that says, "look at my breasts"!!!!! Posted by Hwy71So


You are SOOOOOOOOO right, and I looked too!

I still think that she and I should pray together, naked.

[patriot12436]

hwy71
I was looking towards clinton then she dropped out and supportd obama and i can''t go that route. My first choice is Bob Barr. I want someone who will address the problems America is facing. I would like to see America become isolationists. Deport the illegals, help the working class that are really hurting now because of the poor decisions by bush. I do not believe in war anymore unless we are attacked. I think we need to stop0 foreign aid as we can no longer afford to support the rest of the world.

[patriot12436]

hwy71
I was looking towards clinton then she dropped out and supportd obama and i can''t go that route. My first choice is Bob Barr. I want someone who will address the problems America is facing. I would like to see America become isolationists. Deport the illegals, help the working class that are really hurting now because of the poor decisions by bush. I do not believe in war anymore unless we are attacked. I think we need to stop foreign aid as we can no longer afford to support the rest of the world.

[patriot12436]

hwy71
I was looking towards clinton then she dropped out and supportd obama and i can''t go that route. My first choice is Bob Barr. I want someone who will address the problems America is facing. I would like to see America become isolationists. Deport the illegals, help the working class that are really hurting now because of the poor decisions by bush. I do not believe in war anymore unless we are attacked. I think we need to stop foreign aid as we can no longer afford to support the rest of the world.

[gop_forever]

PS: Would Jesus wear designer cloths like this so called Christan leader''''''''s wife is doing? ----------------------------------
----------------------------------------
------Posted by stevenga777 at 08:03 AM : Aug 15, 2008

Yes, Jesus often wore designer clothes and always had lots of bling. Thats why people came from far away to see Jesus, to check out his bling.

[hwy71so]

"What? Should she be wearing a burka?

Posted by WellHell3 at 09:17 AM : Aug 15, 2008"

No, but a little modesty goes a LONG way.

[crazycwp]

I wonder how much the Osteen''s paid the other so-called witnesses to testify on their behalf. They are nothing but false prophets and I feel iminently sorry for their many blind followers. Vicki is such a joke, bleach blond hair and black eyebrows,and Joel, so slick he could be an oil spill.