Judge Rejects Chris Kyle Widow’s New Trial Request in Controversial $1.8 Million Jesse Ventura Lawsuit

A judge rejected a request made by Navy SEAL Chris Kyle’s widow to order a new trial or throw out a jury’s verdict in the controversial defamation lawsuit filed by former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura.

Ventura was ultimately awarded $1.8 million in the lawsuit, which alleged Kyle lied about punching Ventura after the former governor said Navy SEALs “deserve to lose a few” in Iraq while they were both at a California bar in 2006.

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Ventura alleged the altercation never happened and pursued the lawsuit even after Kyle was shot and killed in February of 2013.

Kyle’s widow, Taya Kyle, has been forced to fight the lawsuit aimed at her late husband.

However, a federal judge ruled Wednesday that there was “substantial evidence” to support the jury’s verdict in favor of Ventura and rejected the bid for a new trial or dismissal of the lawsuit.

Christopher Kyle's wife, Taya, is escorted to her seat after memorializing her husband during a memorial service at Cowboys Stadium, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. Thousands attended the public memorial service for Kyle, the former Navy SEAL sniper who was shot to death at a Texas shooting range.(AP/Brandon Wade)

Ventura has been criticized harshly for proceeding with the lawsuit after Kyle’s death as any money would be taken from his wife and children. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) famously bashed Ventura for “shaking down” the widow of a Navy SEAL.

Kyle, considered the most deadly sniper in U.S. history, was gunned down at a Texas gun range in 2013 by a fellow veteran he was reportedly trying to help through a tough time.