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[Ric Gillespie]

The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Court has denied Tim Mellon's appeal of the summary judgement dismissing Mellon's lawsuit against me and TIGHAR.  The order (attached) is scathing. He can ask for a re-hearing and he can appeal to the Supreme Court but there is no way they would ever hear his case. It's over.  After two years of pointless distraction and expense, justice has triumphed. Tim's defeat could not be more complete. 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Legal Defense Fund.  This is your victory.

[Dale O. Beethe]

Outstanding!  That silliness is hopefully gone forever.  Good for you and TIGHAR, Ric.

[Krystal McGinty-Carter]

Blessed be!  Now you can get on to more important things!  One week to go!

[Gloria Walker Burger]

Great news, Ric and TIGHAR. It is wonderful to leave all that behind! Congratulations! Will Tim be responsible for any of TIGHAR's court costs?

[Jeff Lange]

Will Tim be responsible for any of TIGHAR's court costs?

Unfortunately not under our judicial system. I don't think we would even dare to think about a counter suit for legal fees. Best to leave that sleeping dog lie!

Good that we can proceed on this expedition with a clear head and clean slate! Good luck!

[Ric Gillespie]

Unfortunately not under our judicial system. I don't think we would even dare to think about a counter suit for legal fees.

That is especially true in Wyoming. 

[Monty Fowler]

That is especially true in Wyoming.

Yep. The six-shooter ethos is still alive and well in the New West, only they use blizzards of paper instead of bullets to kill things they don't like.

LTM,
Monty Fowler, TIGHAR No. 2189 ECSP

P.S. - lovely state, though. The Grand Tetons are surely one of nature's finest shows.
P.P.S. - Hats off to TIGHAR's lawyers, who did a splendid job of pointing out the obvious in a manner that was both clear and dispassionate.

[Matt Tomlinson]

That's great new, now you can focus on the expedition.  Remove the fly from the ointment.

[Monty Fowler]

We can only hope that common sense will assert itself.

LTM,
Monty Fowler, TIGHAR No. 2189 ECSP

[Mark Appel]

It's disgusting that so much time, effort and money has been wasted in defense against an utterly nonsensical, witless, claim. I am grateful to TIGHAR's legal team as well as the individuals who provided contributions and other kinds of support.

I have nothing but a deep and abiding contempt for attorneys who enable and execute these kinds of actions. They besmirch their personal and legal reputations and in so doing prostitute our system of justice.

Shamefully, embarrassingly, it happens all too often... may the Niku VIII Team regard this as a good omen on the ramp up to their journey.

[Lauren Palmer]

Finally done!  What a waste of time and money. And, was it a real man or Perry Mason who said that so many attorneys today are "actually accessories-after-the-fact" -- not wanting truth/justice to prevail!

[John B. Shattuck]

Just want to express gratitude to the individual(s) who covered the legal expenses and the Tighar legal team.  One let us move on and focus on our hunt, the other covered our legal backsides.  And a nod to Rick who managed to stay firmly planted atop the moral high ground.  Well done all.

JB

[Ric Gillespie]

A word about lawyers.  In our legal system judges, and sometimes juries, make decisions about the merits of a case.  Lawyers advocate for whichever side they are hired by.  That's the way it should be.  A lawyer can, of course, decide not to take a case but if the plaintiff is already a good customer it is difficult to turn down a case knowing that he'll just find someone else who will take his money.   I don't hold it against Mellon's lawyers for doing their job.  They put up a good fight but justice prevailed.

[Mark Appel]

A word about lawyers.  In our legal system judges, and sometimes juries, make decisions about the merits of a case.  Lawyers advocate for whichever side they are hired by.  That's the way it should be.  A lawyer can, of course, decide not to take a case but if the plaintiff is already a good customer it is difficult to turn down a case knowing that he'll just find someone else who will take his money.   I don't hold it against Mellon's lawyers for doing their job.  They put up a good fight but justice prevailed.

You're a better man than I... Now, keep this in your rear view mirror and go find some interesting things on that atoll. Best of luck, Ric!