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No settlement reached
in Star-Bulletin case

Attorneys prepare to proceed
with September trial

Star-Bulletin Staff

There apparently is no settlement yet of the state and Save Our Star-Bulletin's antitrust lawsuit against the owners of Honolulu's daily newspapers.

Attorneys for the state; Save Our Star-Bulletin; Liberty Newspapers, owner of the Star-Bulletin; and the Gannett-owned Honolulu Advertiser met today with U.S. Magistrate Barry Kurren to resolve discovery issues and adjust internal deadlines to allow the case to proceed.

Attorney Jim Bickerton, representing the private citizens group Save Our Star-Bulletin, said the trial remains set for Sept. 19.

Attorneys for both sides would not discuss any proposals that may have come up at a private settlement conference with Kurren on Feb. 12.

The newspapers have until March 2 to file motions arguing the mootness of the state and SOS's suit, which have been consolidated.

Liberty's attorney, Diane Hastert, would not comment on today's conference. Attorneys for Gannett and the state could not be reached for comment.

The state and SOS contend the newspapers violated antitrust laws by agreeing to end their joint operating agreement and close the Star-Bulletin for a $26.5 million payment. But owners of the two papers argue the Star-Bulletin cannot be forced to continue publishing against its owner's wishes.

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Bulletin closing archive