FIRST ON 3: Judge Ola Lewis awarded $105,000 in libel case

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — After four days of testimony, a jury found Edward Rapp guilty of libel. Brunswick County Judge Ola Lewis was awarded $105,000.

For the second time in two years a jury was asked to distinguish between first amendment rights and libel in a case involving the Brunswick County judge.

When Edward Rapp made a post on his Facebook page questioning whether a judge could openly support a candidate, Brunswick County Resident Superior Court Judge Ola Lewis took exception.

The defense maintained throughout the trial that Rapp’s comments were not out of line with public opinion of Judge Lewis, but today a jury disagreed.