The parents of a 9-year-old Holden Armenta have retained counsel and sent a retraction letter to Deadspin in moves that usually precede the filing of defamation actions. Armenta was the target of a vicious and false attack by Deadspin’s Carron J. Phillips. The writer has long been controversial, but Deadspin retained him. It could now come at a high cost, but the defamation action will face challenges. …

The letter was sent by the new lawyer for Holden and his parents Shannon and Raul Armenta. Clare Locke LLP warned Deadspin that “[t]hese Articles, posts on X, and photos about Holden and his parents must be retracted immediately.”

These retraction letters are often the open salvo in defamation actions. The letter notifies Carron J. Phillips, Deadspin, G/O Media, and Great Hill Partners.

[Worth reading in full, especially for a little reasoned perspective on the prospects of success. Nicholas Sandmann beat US media outlets in his defamation complaints, largely because they refused to correct the record until long after the truth became obvious. That window hasn’t yet closed in this case, Turley warns, and has lots of good information on the hurdles to justice the Armenta family face. It’s not impossible to win, but it will take a number of factors to fall into place for the plaintiffs. — Ed]