Federal Judge Weighs Dismissal of Lawsuit Over Spectrum News 13 Reporter's Death

The judge appears skeptical of arguments to allow the wrongful death lawsuit against Charter Communications to proceed.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:19pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked and damaged camera lens, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the dangers journalists face when covering volatile crime scenes.A damaged camera lens reflects the harsh realities of reporting from dangerous crime scenes, where journalists' safety remains a critical concern.Today in Orlando

A federal judge will decide whether to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit against Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum News 13, over the killing of reporter Dylan Lyons. The judge seemed skeptical of arguments that Charter failed to protect Lyons when he was sent to cover a crime scene where the alleged shooter had not yet been apprehended.

Why it matters

This case raises questions about the responsibility of news organizations to protect journalists covering dangerous situations, especially in the wake of high-profile incidents of reporters being injured or killed while reporting in the field.

The details

The lawsuit alleges that Charter failed to properly warn, train or equip Lyons for the dangers of reporting at the crime scene where he was killed. However, the judge questioned whether the danger was truly 'virtually certain,' noting that another reporter from a different station had been present at the scene. Charter has argued that any damages should come from a worker's compensation claim, not a wrongful death lawsuit.

  • The hearing took place on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
  • Feb. 22, 2026 marked three years since Lyons was allegedly killed by Keith Moses.
  • Moses' next hearing ahead of the murder trial is scheduled for Sept. 1, 2026.

The players

Anne Conway

A senior district judge who will decide whether to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit against Charter Communications.

Ryan Vescio

An attorney representing the late reporter Dylan Lyons' family in the lawsuit against Charter Communications.

Paul Totten

The attorney representing Charter Communications in the lawsuit.

Keith Moses

The alleged shooter who faces murder charges for the deaths of Dylan Lyons, Natacha Augustin, and 9-year-old T'Yonna Major.

Charter Communications

The parent company of Spectrum News 13, which is accused of failing to protect Dylan Lyons when he was sent to cover the crime scene where he was killed.

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What they’re saying

“You ask any person on the street, and they'll tell you a crime scene is dangerous.”

— Anne Conway, Senior District Judge

“If it was virtually certain, the WESH reporter might not have been there at all.”

— Anne Conway, Senior District Judge

“They're relying on a general intuition of Lyons' supervisors of the dangers posed by the scene, which is a slippery slope.”

— Paul Totten, Attorney representing Charter Communications

What’s next

The judge will issue a ruling on whether to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit against Charter Communications.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and ethical questions surrounding the responsibility of news organizations to protect journalists covering dangerous situations, especially in the wake of high-profile incidents of reporters being injured or killed while reporting in the field.