CNN - CNN HOST SUED AFTER WOMAN'S SUICIDE

CNN HOST SUED AFTER WOMAN'S SUICIDE

The family of a Florida woman who killed herself after being aggressively interviewed by CNN host NANCY GRACE about her son's disappearance are suing both Grace and bosses at CNN's HEADLINE NEWS. Members of MELINDA DUCKETT's family claim the 7 September (06) interview caused emotional distress that led to her suicide the following day (08SEP06). Duckett estate lawyer JAY PAUL DERATANY contends Grace misrepresented her intentions for the interview, where she initially encouraged Duckett to speak publicly to aid the search for her boy, only to switch tactics and bully the emotionally fragile woman on camera. He says, "It's not just about the questioning it's about the misrepresentation with the knowledge that she was emotionally distraught." The suit, filed yesterday (21NOV06), seeks unspecified damages. A spokeswoman for the network said in a release, "We stand by Nancy Grace and fully support her, as we have from the beginning of this matter." Duckett's son, TRENTON, was reported missing on 27 August (06). Duckett has been named the prime suspect in her son's disappearance.