A woman who claimed a novelist and former friend based the character of a sexually promiscuous alcoholic on her has won a $100,000 libel award from a Georgia jury.
Vicki Stewart claimed that Haywood Smith, a former childhood friend, used her as the basis for a character in her novel The Red Hat Club.
During the trial, Stewart’s lawyer brandished a piece of paper with the word SLUT written in large letters, saying, “This is what [Smith] did to the fabric of Vicki Stewart’s life… She made her into a slut, an atheist and an alcoholic. Ms. Smith’s irresponsible words have stained the fabric of Vicki Stewart’s life. These stains will never come out.”
Smith has indicated she will not appeal the verdict, saying “I hope this [verdict] is healing for Ms. Stewart.”
