Shamblin v. Martinez [1]

An anonymous blogger made critical statements about Gwen Shamblin, leader of the Remnant Fellowship church, and about the group's beliefs and practices. One of the statements implied that two Remnant Fellowship members who were indicted for beating their eight-year old son to death had relied on advice from "Remnant leadership." Other statements detailed the prices paid by Shamblin for properties she owned. The anonymous blogger also allegedly posted photographs of the children of Remnant Fellowship members, family photos, names and ages of children, and members' home addresses.

Sixty-seven members of the group, including Shamblin, filed a lawsuit against the anonymous blogger in Tennessee state court, claiming defamation and false light invasion of privacy. The plaintiffs also named Reverend Rafael Martinez, who runs a website dedicated to warning the public about cults, in the complaint. Martinez maintains that he had no connection whatsoever to the anonymous blogger. The complaint alleges that Martinez defamed the plaintiffs by making statements that the church's practices were "dangerous and destructive" and indicating that church doctrine advocated "extreme fasting" and "extreme discipline for children," including spankings and whippings.

Martinez moved to dismiss the claim against him in January 2007. The court granted his motion in April 2007, but granted the plaintiffs permission to amend the complaint. Rather than amending, the plaintiffs voluntarily withdrew the lawsuit.