Kamloops mayor argues councillor’s damages from his lawsuit were self-inflicted

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson represented himself in a Kamloops courtroom today while arguing he shouldn’t have to pay Coun. Katie Neustaeter after his lawsuit was dismissed.

There was some stumbling along the way as he read through his court submission, but a central point was his suggestion that any damages against Neustaeter were self-inflicted.

Her lawyer, Daniel Reid, argued Hamer-Jackson’s defamation case against her damaged her reputation and had a “chilling effect” on her ability to speak publicly.

“There’s no evidence the defendant is in physical danger. There’s no evidence the lawsuit has caused more stress than litigation would normally cause… It is possible the defendant invited some of the public attention she received by her own statements in the media,” Hamer-Jackson said in court today, May 6.

It was the second day of a two-day hearing over who should pay legal costs for the now-dismissed defamation case.

Justice Jaqueline Hughes reserved her decision at the end of the morning session.

Earlier this year, Hughes dismissed Hamer-Jackson’s claims following Neustaeter’s anti-SLAPP application, which allows defendants to combat lawsuits meant to silence critics.

Neustaeter’s lawyer said Hamer-Jackson should not only pay her legal fees but also damages.

It’s a rarity among anti-SLAPP cases, but he argued it’s warranted because Hamer-Jackson has a pattern of taking litigation to his critics.

It’s a claim Hamer-Jackson denies.

He noted the case against Neustaeter is his first defamation case. While he admitted he filed two more defamation cases afterward, including a second against Neustaeter, he continues to argue they were filed in order to protect his own reputation.

Throughout his submissions Hamer-Jackson stumbled when Justice Hughes asked him clarifying questions. She would ask him to point to specific evidence or challenge him over inadmissible material.

He had three separate lawyers work on the defamation case by the time it got to a hearing last year, but the now-self-represented mayor pleaded ignorance and sought grace from the judge.

“I’m trying to do this on my own the only way I can, and I just hope you can see that,” the mayor said.

Whether Hamer-Jackson would actually pay legal costs and damages is unclear, but it appears unlikely.

He is currently facing two lawsuits from two separate banks over unpaid debts, he has had two previous lawyers take him to court over unpaid legal fees already and his municipal taxes haven’t been paid. Hamer-Jackson’s business property, his home and his boat are listed for sale to cover the debts, which have so far combined to more than a half-million dollars.

If Hamer-Jackson is not ordered to pay Neustaeter’s legal costs, Kamloops taxpayers will be left to foot the bill. Although he has appealed the decision, that doesn’t stop the judge from deciding costs at BC Supreme Court.

It’s not clear when Justice Hughes will return with a decision.