Dumas, TX - Talk show host Oprah Winfrey's problems with Texas Cattlemen, who have a beef with comments she made on her show, are not over yet.
Some of the same plaintiffs from a previous federal case filed a new libel suit in the Panhandle, this time in state district court, claiming she harmed them in a 1996 show on so-called "mad cow" disease when she swore off hamburger. They are seeking $1 million in damages.
The cattlemen say they lost money after Winfrey's show, and that she violated the "veggie libel law."
Winfrey and her producers were acquitted in a similar suit in federal court in February.
Attorney Kevin Isern said Cactus Feeding Club, Inc. and other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in 69th State District Court in Moore County Thursday night.
He said that although filed in state court, the suit is similar to the federal lawsuit filed against Winfrey, Harpo Productions Inc., and Howard Lyman.
The plaintiffs allege that Winfrey's April l6, l996, talk show sent cattle prices stampeding downward, costing them lost sales.
The federal lawsuit was filed by the feed yards, but Isern said the new suit was filed by people who owned cattle in partnership with Cattle Feeders.
Although Winfrey and other defendants were declared not liable in the federal trial, Cactus Feeders and Texas Beef Group have appealed the verdict.
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