Georgia Jury Rules Against Kid Rock
DECATUR, Ga. (AP/CBS) A suburban Atlanta jury had some bad news for Detroit musician Kid Rock.
The jury awarded $40,000 to a man who says Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, and his entourage beat him during a 2007 fight at a Waffle House restaurant.
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Harlen Akins sued the musician and five members of his entourage over the fight. The judge dismissed two of the defendants Thursday.
Kid Rock took the stand in his own defense Thursday. He testfuied that he exchanged tough words with Akins but didn't start fighting until provoked.
Akins was seeking $6,000 in medical fees and an unspecified amount in punitive damages. The jury decided Friday not to award punitive damages, but gave him $40,000 in compensatory damages.
The responsibility for paying will be divided among the four remaining defendants.
Kid Rock pleaded guilty in March 2008 to a misdemeanor charge of simple battery stemming from the fight. He was sentenced to probation and anger management counseling.