VanVoorhis Legal Defense Fund

I have established a Legal Defense Fund to fight the SLAPP suit filed against me by a wealthy Orlando businessman named Christopher Comins.

In 2008 Comins shot two Siberian huskies multiple times in front of 60 witnesses.  A YouTube video of the shooting surfaced soon afterwards. It debunked Comins' initial claims that the dogs had attacked him, and ignited what the Orlando Sentinel called a "global outcry." I was neither the initiator nor ringleader of this outcry.  But I did write about Comins' actions.

Comins almost got away with it -- as the police seemed to believe his self-defense story.  But, once the video surfaced, the tide began to turn.  

Thanks in part to a grassroots Internet movement and an online petition signed by thousands, Chris Comins currently faces third degree felony charges for animal cruelty.
 
I am now being sued by Christopher Comins for writing about what happened. Yes, that's right.  The guy who shot these two dogs, without provocation, in front of dozens of witnesses, is suing me.

Comins' lawsuit is frivolous.  However, he knows that most of the time, the golden rule is "he who has the gold makes the rules."  I am just a graduate student.  Comins is the owner Custom Fab, a big manufacturing company.  He can afford to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to try and scare people who might criticize his actions.  I, on the other hand, only have the First Amendment on my side.  

If Comins wins, then anyone who criticizes someone for animal cruelty will need to be afraid.  Free speech is not always free.  When you criticize someone who has unlimited funds, no matter how wrong their actions may be, you always run the risk of having a SLAPP suit filed against you.  However, if those of us who get SLAPPed fight back, perhaps Free Speech can ultimately prevail. 

As a lover of dogs and of the First Amendment, I believe it was my right to speak out.  I’ve decided to defend that right in court.  Many thanks to all who have been supportive.

 
If you would like to support my legal defense, donations can be mailed to:


Van Voorhis Legal Defense Fund
c/o Randazza Legal Group
PO BOX 5516
Gloucester, MA 01930
  

Comins v. VanVoorhis

CNN Florida News

CNN iReport

New York Post

Orlando Sentinel

The Baltimore Sun

The Chicago Tribune

WESH NBC 2

WKMG CBS 6

WOFL FOX 35