The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, is due to take the stand to go on trial for a defamation suit filed against him by Vernon Unsworth, British cave explorer who helped with the rescue of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-apologises-to-british-thai-cave-rescuer-after-calling-him-pedo-152580">12 boys and their soccer coach</a> from a cave in Thailand in July last year.

Musk has now-deleted the tweet which described Unsworth as a “pedo guy” for which Unsworth is now seeking punitive and compensatory damages for harming his reputation.&nbsp;

The trial which begins on Tuesday before US district judge Stephen Wilson in Los Angeles. It will&nbsp;last for five days. The row started after Musk offered a SpaceX mini-submarine to help with the rescue mission of kids trapped in a cave in Thailand, to which Unsworth gave a statement to CNN on July 13, 2018, claiming it was a “PR stunt”.

Two days later, Musk took to Twitter to lash out against Unsworth in a series of tweets, including one which said, “Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it."

When questioned about the accusations Musk replied with “bet ya a signed dollar it's true,” all of which were later deleted. Musk later sent out a tweet expressing apology after Tesla’s stock price dipped by as much as 4 per cent.&nbsp;

“His actions against me do not justify my actions against him...spoken in anger after Mr Unsworth said several untruths and suggested I engage in a sexual act with the mini-sub, which had been built as an act of kindness and according to specifications from the dive team leader,” Musk tweeted.&nbsp;

Judge Wilson earlier denied Musk’s legal team’s request to define Unsworth as a “public figure” due to which Unsworth does not have to provide proof that Musk acted with “actual malice”, lowering the bar necessary to win the case.&nbsp;

Unsworth now only needs to prove negligence on Musk’s side and not an actual intent to defame. Unsworth is required to prove Musk’s comments to be false and that people believed them to be true.&nbsp;

Musk is expected to testify in his own defence with his legal team insisting on not making any out-of-court settlements. “Pedo guy was a common insult used in South Africa when I was growing up,” &nbsp;said Musk in a court filing, which was claimed to be “offensive to the truth” by Unsworth’s legal team.&nbsp;

"It is synonymous with ‘creepy old man’ and is used to insult a person’s appearance and demeanour, not accuse a person of paedophilia,” according to the Tesla chief.

Musk’s legal team has claimed that the tweets were Musk’s opinion, not a statement of fact, and also that Unsworth aimed to gain profit from his role in the rescue mission.&nbsp;

The team also claims that Unsworth’s comments to CNN implying that Musk did not care about the lives of the trapped boys provoked Musk’s response.&nbsp;

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, is due to take the stand to go on trial for a defamation suit filed against him by Vernon Unsworth, British cave explorer who helped with the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a cave in Thailand in July last year.

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, is due to take the stand to go on trial for a defamation suit filed against him by Vernon Unsworth, British cave explorer who helped with the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a cave in Thailand in July last year. Musk has now-deleted the tweet which described Unsworth as a “pedo guy” for which Unsworth is now seeking punitive and compensatory damages for harming his reputation. The trial which begins on Tuesday before US district judge Stephen Wilson in Los Angeles. It will last for five days. The row started after Musk offered a SpaceX mini-submarine to help with the rescue mission of kids trapped in a cave in Thailand, to which Unsworth gave a statement to CNN on July 13, 2018, claiming it was a “PR stunt”. Two days later, Musk took to Twitter to lash out against Unsworth in a series of tweets, including one which said, “Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it." When questioned about the accusations Musk replied with “bet ya a signed dollar it's true,” all of which were later deleted. Musk later sent out a tweet expressing apology after Tesla’s stock price dipped by as much as 4 per cent. “His actions against me do not justify my actions against him...spoken in anger after Mr Unsworth said several untruths and suggested I engage in a sexual act with the mini-sub, which had been built as an act of kindness and according to specifications from the dive team leader,” Musk tweeted. Judge Wilson earlier denied Musk’s legal team’s request to define Unsworth as a “public figure” due to which Unsworth does not have to provide proof that Musk acted with “actual malice”, lowering the bar necessary to win the case. Unsworth now only needs to prove negligence on Musk’s side and not an actual intent to defame. Unsworth is required to prove Musk’s comments to be false and that people believed them to be true. Musk is expected to testify in his own defence with his legal team insisting on not making any out-of-court settlements. “Pedo guy was a common insult used in South Africa when I was growing up,” said Musk in a court filing, which was claimed to be “offensive to the truth” by Unsworth’s legal team. "It is synonymous with ‘creepy old man’ and is used to insult a person’s appearance and demeanour, not accuse a person of paedophilia,” according to the Tesla chief. Musk’s legal team has claimed that the tweets were Musk’s opinion, not a statement of fact, and also that Unsworth aimed to gain profit from his role in the rescue mission. The team also claims that Unsworth’s comments to CNN implying that Musk did not care about the lives of the trapped boys provoked Musk’s response.

Elon Musk on trial in US court over ‘pedo guy’ tweet

Netflix said on Tuesday (April 30) it had secured the rights to make a miniseries about the dramatic rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a cave in northern Thailand last year that captured international attention.

Spokesman of the Committee for the Tham Luang Cave Mission which oversees the welfare of the Thai cave boys, Werachon Sukondhapatipak, told reporters that "money" was not the main factor in choosing "who to portray the story" for the global rescue effort.

The 'Wild Boars' soccer team, aged between 11 and 16, and their 25-year-old coach became trapped on June 23 while exploring the cave complex in the northern province of Chiang Rai when a rainy season downpour flooded the tunnels. A 17-day effort to rescue them gripped the world with experts from various countries volunteering to help.

Netflix and SK Global Entertainment secured the rights from 13 Thamluang, a company established by the boys and their coach.

Ekapol Jantawong, the representative of 13 Thumluang, denied earlier news report that the production powerhouses had secured a 'lifetime exclusive rights' agreement to control access to the boys and himself, saying it was only 'temporary'.

So far, two books about the rescue have been published while a feature film 'The Cave'&nbsp;wrapped up shooting in December, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Netflix said on Tuesday (April 30) it had secured the rights to make a miniseries about the dramatic rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a cave in northern Thailand last year that captured international attention.

Netflix said on Tuesday (April 30) it had secured the rights to make a miniseries about the dramatic rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a cave in northern Thailand last year that captured international attention. Spokesman of the Committee for the Tham Luang Cave Mission which oversees the welfare of the Thai cave boys, Werachon Sukondhapatipak, told reporters that "money" was not the main factor in choosing "who to portray the story" for the global rescue effort. The 'Wild Boars' soccer team, aged between 11 and 16, and their 25-year-old coach became trapped on June 23 while exploring the cave complex in the northern province of Chiang Rai when a rainy season downpour flooded the tunnels. A 17-day effort to rescue them gripped the world with experts from various countries volunteering to help. Netflix and SK Global Entertainment secured the rights from 13 Thamluang, a company established by the boys and their coach. Ekapol Jantawong, the representative of 13 Thumluang, denied earlier news report that the production powerhouses had secured a 'lifetime exclusive rights' agreement to control access to the boys and himself, saying it was only 'temporary'. So far, two books about the rescue have been published while a feature film 'The Cave' wrapped up shooting in December, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Netflix signs deal for Thai cave boy rescue miniseries

Twelve&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;boys and their football coach, who were dramatically rescued from a flooded cave in July, enjoyed a high-profile kickabout on Sunday (October 07), playing a game at River Plate's iconic Monumental stadium.

The team, known as the 'Wild Boars', are honoured guests at the Youth Olympics in the Argentine capital after their rescue gripped the world.

Dressed in violet jerseys with the team logo of the record Argentine champions, they faced River's under-13 team, entering the pitch to loud applause from their opponents.

For the record the final score was 3-3.

The team were greeted by Rodolfo D'Onofrio, president of River Plate, whose vast stadium was the site of the 1978 World Cup final.

The boys, aged 11 to 16 at the time, and their 25-year-old coach, Ekapol Chanthawong, had been exploring Chiang Rai's Tham Luang cave on June 23 when they became trapped.

They survived nine days on water dripping from rocks before they were discovered on a muddy mound by divers.

A dramatic, international rescue effort ended on July 10 when they were all brought out safely after an ordeal that made headlines around the world.

They have since been showered with invitations, among them to fly to the Argentine capital and attend the Youth Olympic Games.

The boys, who were also guests of honour at the Games opening ceremony in Buenos Aires on Saturday (October 06), will leave on Tuesday (October 09).

Twelve Thai boys and their football coach, who were dramatically rescued from a flooded cave in July, enjoyed a high-profile kickabout on Sunday (October 07), playing a game at River Plate's iconic Monumental stadium.

Twelve Thai boys and their football coach, who were dramatically rescued from a flooded cave in July, enjoyed a high-profile kickabout on Sunday (October 07), playing a game at River Plate's iconic Monumental stadium. The team, known as the 'Wild Boars', are honoured guests at the Youth Olympics in the Argentine capital after their rescue gripped the world. Dressed in violet jerseys with the team logo of the record Argentine champions, they faced River's under-13 team, entering the pitch to loud applause from their opponents. For the record the final score was 3-3. The team were greeted by Rodolfo D'Onofrio, president of River Plate, whose vast stadium was the site of the 1978 World Cup final. The boys, aged 11 to 16 at the time, and their 25-year-old coach, Ekapol Chanthawong, had been exploring Chiang Rai's Tham Luang cave on June 23 when they became trapped. They survived nine days on water dripping from rocks before they were discovered on a muddy mound by divers. A dramatic, international rescue effort ended on July 10 when they were all brought out safely after an ordeal that made headlines around the world. They have since been showered with invitations, among them to fly to the Argentine capital and attend the Youth Olympic Games. The boys, who were also guests of honour at the Games opening ceremony in Buenos Aires on Saturday (October 06), will leave on Tuesday (October 09).

Thailand's cave boys enjoy kick about at iconic River Plate stadium

thai-cave-boys

Thai Cave Boys, News on Thai Cave Boys, stories on Thai Cave Boys, articles on Thai Cave Boys, Thai Cave Boys stories at Wion, Thai Cave Boys news, Thai Cave Boys latest news

thai cave-boys

Elon Musk on trial in US court over ‘pedo guy’ tweet

Netflix signs deal for Thai cave boy rescue miniseries

Thailand's cave boys enjoy kick about at iconic River Plate stadium