Judge declares Navy veteran suing CNN for defamation ‘did not act criminally or illegally’

The judge in a defamation lawsuit against CNN ruled that plaintiff Zachary Young "did not act illegally or criminally" when helping people flee Afghanistan.

Judge William S. Henry ruled in documents obtained by Fox News Digital that "Young did not act criminally or illegally," and CNN statements about operating in a black market were "of and concerning Young." Judge Henry also said CNN citing Sharia law to defend the notion that Young acted illegally is "a bridge too far." Brian Flood is a media editor/reporter for FOX News Digital. Story tips can be sent to brian.flood@fox.com and on Twitter: @briansflood. 

The CNN segment at the center of the suit, which was shared on social media and also repackaged for CNN's website, began with Tapper informing viewers that CNN correspondent Alex Marquardt discovered "Afghans trying to get out of the country face a black market full of promises, demands of exorbitant fees, and no guarantee of safety or success."