Prior to his death, whistleblower John Barnett was testifying against Boeing over concerns about standards.

John Barnett had worked for Boeing for 32 years, until his retirement in 2017.

In the days before his death, he had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company.

Boeing said it was saddened to hear of Mr Barnett’s passing. The Charleston County coroner confirmed his death to the BBC on Monday.

It said the 62-year-old had died from a “self-inflicted” wound on 9 March and police were investigating.

  • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today
    1·
    8 months ago

    He claimed it shouldn’t be libelous and I explained that it would be libelous. You’re implying that journalists are somehow dancing around the issue, which is silly because we’re all pretty well informed that the whistleblower was probably murdered.

    • fosho@lemmy.caEnglish
      1·
      8 months ago

      it’s not libelous to discuss the elephant in the room. you did not explain anything. you just disregarded the question with your assumption.

      • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today
        1·
        8 months ago

        If you say a person or entity with a public image did something really bad that they haven’t been strictly proven to have done, with exceptions for things such as parody, then that is defamation. So, yes, it can be libelous to talk about the fucking elephant.

        • fosho@lemmy.caEnglish
          1·
          8 months ago

          wowdaft. it couldn’t be more clear that the suggestion is discussing the suspicious nature WITHOUT making direct accusations.