On Tuesday, the trial involving Dominion Voting Systems and Fox News was unexpectedly delayed by Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric M. Davis, leading to rumors of a settlement. Despite the judge denying these speculations, the two parties did indeed reach a settlement agreement, costing Fox News and Fox Corp $787.5 million.
According to a CNN report, the settlement was reached at the last minute, with the help of a mediator named Jerry Roscoe, who was vacationing in Europe in celebration of his 70th birthday.
Roscoe promptly accepted the role of mediator and went through the materials before shuttling between the two parties to help finalize the deal.
All parties believed that the trial was still proceeding, with Dominion planning to call Fox Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch and primetime host Tucker Carlson as witnesses.
However, the settlement was reached shortly after 2 p.m. ET, abruptly ending the trial.
Fox News decided to settle after the realities of the trial set in. “Once the jury sits down and you’re looking at people who are going to decide your fate, it’s an awakening experience,” said Roscoe. The trial was expected to last six weeks.
