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Self-represented Kamloops mayor appeals defamation ruling with AI assist

A man and a woman seen at a city council meeting.
FILE PHOTO - Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson (right) and Kamloops councillor Katie Neustaeter at a March 28, 2023, council meeting. LEVI LANDRY / iNFOnews.ca

The mayor of Kamloops is trying again to take a fellow councillor to court as he continues to claim she defamed him.

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson is going about it without a lawyer this time, but he still has help.

“I’ve got a friend that’s helping and he uses AI a little bit,” he told iNFOnews.ca.

Though he filed for an appeal, Feb. 27, it’s not clear what he’s taking issue with in the January decision that tossed his defamation case against Coun. Katie Neustaeter.

On Jan. 30, Justice Jacqueline Hughes issued a decision in which she found the lawsuit had a “chilling effect” on Neustaeter’s ability to represent her constituents. Hughes was left unconvinced Neustaeter’s statements damaged Hamer-Jackson’s reputation.

On Feb. 27, Hamer-Jackson filed paperwork to appeal the decision and order a new trial.

Neustaeter was unconcerned with the appeal when asked to comment.

“Having the judgement settled, having it so clearly stated that in every way I was fulfilling responsibilities — that it was in the public’s best interest and that (Hamer-Jackson’s) reaction was because he’s targeting me as a political opponent — having all of those things coming from the pen of a judge were all the reassurance I need,” Neustaeter told iNFOnews.ca. “I feel great about things.”

Asked about Hamer-Jackson’s use of AI tools to challenge the decision, she said, “Good luck.”

“AI is not legal representation, and the person who initiated all of this action should have been prepared to follow through professionally,” Neustaeter said.

Since he filed the defamation case in 2023, Hamer-Jackson went through three lawyers. The first two each took him to court over unpaid legal expenses, while the third hasn’t continued through Hamer-Jackson’s action in BC Court of Appeal.

Meanwhile, Hamer-Jackson and Neustaeter are still poised to argue over legal costs and appeared before Hughes, March 4, and are scheduled to be heard again in May. The appeal isn’t expected to interfere with it.

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Levi Landry

Levi is a recent graduate of the Communications, Culture, & Journalism program at Okanagan College and is now based in Kamloops. After living in the BC for over four years, he finds the blue collar and neighbourly environment in the Thompson reminds him of home in Saskatchewan. Levi, who has previously been published in Kelowna’s Daily Courier, is passionate about stories focussed on both social issues and peoples’ experiences in their local community. If you have a story or tips to share, you can reach Levi at 250 819 3723 or email LLandry@infonews.ca.

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