Mississippi State players’ motions to sever, transfer venue denied in Rebel Rags lawsuit
Motions filed by Mississippi State players Kobe Jones and Leo Lewis to sever and for transfer of venue in the Rebels Rags lawsuit have been denied.
It’s the latest development in a lawsuit filed by the Oxford-based clothing company during the summer, alleging defamation, commercial disparagement and civil conspiracy. The lawsuit stems from what Rebel Rags believes were false statements made by Jones, Lewis and Miller — the estranged stepfather of former Ole Miss offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil — during interviews with NCAA investigators when questioned about an allegation that the three received $2,800 worth of free apparel from the store between Jan. 25-27, 2013 and between March 28, 2014 and Jan. 31, 2016.
As part of their separate motions, Jones and Lewis argued there wasn’t a link between the three defendants with their interviews being conducted at separate times in separate locations. Attorneys for Jones and Lewis also argued the case should be heard in Oktibbeha County since their statements were made in Starkville and not Lafayette County.
In an order filed in Lafayette County Circuit Court on Thursday, judge John Kelly Luther ruled the defendants are properly joined since they’re alleged to be involved in the same conspiracy. Rebel Rags is alleging in its complaint the defendants’ statements were made at the request of at least one John Doe defendant to deliberately cause harm to the store.