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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 28, 1993                   TAG: 9301280197
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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BASEBALL

Former major-league outfielder Jay Johnstone filed a defamation suit against two television networks and a wire service, claiming alleged inaccurate stories about a shoplifting-assault case hurt his earnings.

The Superior Court suit filed Tuesday against CBS, NBC and United Press International sought more than $100,000 in damages for alleged defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress, lawyer Charles Sneathern said.

On Jan. 7, 1992, Johnstone pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault for a scuffle during an arrest. A shoplifting charge was dropped and Johnstone was fined $300 and placed on two years' probation.

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