The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 14, 1981, Image 1
Fogelberg Returns I Rebel Quarterback I
With New Album Rankles USC
?page 6 ? page 16
GAMECOCK
LXX1, No. 17 University of South Carolina Monday, September 14,1981
( MinA^A^L C
By DAVID CORVETTE
News Editor
A Columbia woman who had threatened to sue the
Gamecock for $500,000 for publishing a semi-nude picture of
her settled out of court for $700 this summer.
Sandra F. Chinnis, photographed April 3.1980.during a wet
T-shirt contest at a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., establishment
called the "Button," originally sued the Gamecock for
$250,000 for invasion of privacy and $250,000 for libel, according
to a complaint drawn up by her attorney, Hammond
A. Beale.
Chinnis' picture was included in an April 9,1980, Gamecock
feature on spring break events of the 1980 spring semester.
Chinnis. the winner of the Ruttnn's wet T-shirt rnntpst
removed her shirt completely and waved it around her head
to celebrate her victory. She was photographed by a girl
sitting on top of former Gamecock photographer Dave
Matthew's camera, according to Gamecock photographer
Barry Newman.
Gamecock adviser Mark F. Ethridge Jr. said he was op
posea to tne settlement even tnougn it was tne cheapest way
to go." He said legal fees would have exceeded $700 had the
suit gone to court, but that university lawyer Timothy Quinn,
representing the Gamecock, had a strong defense based on
the newsworthiness of the picture.
iiKiniiioiiiAnmiififnno 1? iL. .. I A ^ a.
i iiirxEiaa is me uesi ueiense againsi invasion
of privacy suits," Ethridge said. Also, Chinnis alleged her
"privacy" was invaded in a public bar. "The front door was
even open," Ethridge said, and there was no cover charge
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uit Settled 0
which might have classified the Button as a Drivate club. I
"You know, with 2,000 students in the place it was hardly
private," Ethridge said.
Only male members of the 1980 Gamecock staff were
named in the suit. The complaint listed the defendants as
Tom Travis, editor in chief; Brian Duncan, copy desk chief;
Mark Platte, news editor; James Rokosny, entertainment
Rnhprt Ariail Ornnhirs fHitnr* Purl RaJvopW
v J ~ D. v'v"vv- I vv,w
graduate assistant; Bill Outlaw, general manager; William
Tinsley, production manager; Mark F. Ethridge Jr., advi
<s#?r anH Havp Matthpu/c Haup RnhprJc anH Rarru
Newman, photographers.
Female members of the staff were not named,nor were the
sports editors or advertising manager. Beale could not be
reached for comment regarding the selection of defendants.
CHINNIS' picture was run again April 30, 1980, in a recap
of the Gampcnch's best stories of the vear After the nirture
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was published the first time, Beale sent a letter protesting its
publication and requesting it not be reprinted. He began suit
after the picture was repeated.
"Legally, they (the Gamecock) were entitled to run it
again, but it wasn t too smart, Ethridgesaid.
Chinnis had alleged in her complaint that, because she was
recognized in the picture by several friends, relatives and
acquaintances, she suffered "extreme humiliation, embarrassment.
public ridicule and severe mental Dain and
anguish."
However, Ethridge said graphics editor Robert Ariail had
retouched the photograph to make it appear Chinnis' shirt
was shadowing her face. The change made it difficult to
identify Chinnis, he said.
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tut Of Court
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF RICHLAND
Sandra F. Chinnis
PLAINTIFF
-VSTom
Travis, Brian Duncan, Mark PSatte, James Rokosny,
Kobert /\riaii, can HaDCOCK, tsm uuuaw, ueienaanis,
William Tinsley.Dave Matthews, Barry Newman, Dave
Roberts, and Mark Ethridge, Jr., d/b/a The GAMECOCK
TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE NAMED:
You are hereby summoned and required to answer the
Complaint herein, a copy of which is herewith served upon
you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to said Complaint
upon the subscriber at his office at 709 Greenlawn Drive,
Suite B, Post Office Box 9526, Columbia, South Carolina
29290, within twenty (20) days after the service hereof,
exclusive of the day of such service; and. if you fail to
answer the Complaint within the time aforementioned,
the Plaintiff will apply to the Court for the relief
demanded in the Complaint.
LAW OFFICE OF HAMMOND A. BEALE
July 28th. 1980
Columbia, South Carolina
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|v.v juiuiuny v/n Milianiuidl
as an empty keg relay
and a dunking booth.
Radio station W7ID
FM broadcast live from
the event. Profits were
a8a'nst child abuse.