Lawyers Representing Nolan Wells’ ‘Friends’ Plan Lawsuits

The Nolan Wells case may have ended with a grand jury refusing to bring criminal charges, as BOSSIP previously reported, but the legal drama surrounding the 18-year-old’s death is nowhere near over. Now, the attorneys representing three of Wells’ friends are turning their attention to the people they say publicly smeared their clients during the investigation.

According to NewsNation, attorneys for Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo and Morgan Seymour are threatening litigation against civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton, attorney Ben Crump and The View co-host Sunny Hostin over statements they made while publicly discussing Wells’ death.

The lawyers have already sent pre-suit demands to Sharpton and Hostin, accusing them of making statements that falsely suggested the three men were involved in Wells’ death, mishandled his phone, or interfered with the investigation. The attorneys are demanding retractions and apologies, warning that lawsuits could follow.

“The things that were said, especially when it comes to the three that we’ve talked about, were just outrageous,” Cox said. “And those will not be the only ones.”

As BOSSIP also previously reported, Sharpton is not particularly frightened by the prospect of seeing the inside of a courtroom. In response to the threat, he said he welcomed the lawsuit, arguing that litigation could force the people who were with Wells before his death to answer questions under oath. His attorneys have also rejected the claim that he accused the men of committing crimes.

Hostin is facing a similar threat over comments she made while discussing the case, including statements about Wells being the only Black person among a group of white young men and questions surrounding his friends’ actions after his disappearance.

And then there is Crump, who represents Wells’ family and has repeatedly called for greater scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding his death.

With the criminal investigation ending without charges, the battle appears to be shifting from the courtroom of public opinion to the actual legal system. The question now is whether these threats remain just that, or become full-blown lawsuits. Meanwhile, Nolan’s grieving family has responded to the grand jury’s decision and they are not biting their tongues.

Christine Wonsley, Nolans’ mother, spoke publicly at New Birth Baptist Church outside of Atlanta, Georgia yesterday:

Via People:

“Shortly after this text message, she released the information via Facebook,” Wonsley said. “To me, that action showed a lack of empathy and a need to get this case done and over with.”

“Last night was a reminder that our son’s life does not matter to those who hold positions that are supposed to serve and protect the public,” Wonsley said through tears. “Nolan is loved. He is cherished. He is honored. And he did not deserve to have his life taken away so suddenly.”