Jesse Ventura: American Sniper appeal is 'superman' vs truth

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura exited the federal courthouse in St. Paul late Tuesday morning and delivered a 5-minute rant to the media. Ventura's comments followed an hour of oral arguments from the attorney representing the estate of "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle, who is asking the judges of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a $1.8 million defamation judgment.

"We'll see if superman prevails or if truth, justice and the American way stands for something," Ventura said.

Last year, a jury awarded Ventura $1.8 million after Kyle, the late Navy SEAL sniper, included a story in his book about a bar fight with "Scruff Face," later identified as Ventura. But Ventura maintains the fight never happened.

Ventura claims he continues to suffer personally and financially due to fallout from the book. He says he's an outcast in the Navy SEAL community, and the lawsuit has cost him $1 million, plus lost wages.

Attorney Lee Levine says the Kyle estate at least deserves a new trial, arguing the judge improperly allowed the jury to hear that insurance would cover the judgment awarded to Ventura.

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