CNN reporter warned of legal action by Navy veteran over 'inaccurate' story.

On Wednesday, jurors in Panama City, Florida, were shown text messages in which a Navy veteran suing CNN for defamation warned correspondent Alex Marquardt that his 2021 story about him was "inaccurate" and he would "seek legal damages."

On his second day on the witness stand, Zachary Young stated that he initially believed CNN required assistance in evacuating its own individuals from Afghanistan. He contacted them because he thought they were interested in his services due to staff members viewing his LinkedIn profile. Young testified that once he learned that Katie Bo Lillis simply wanted to speak for a story, he immediately informed her that he did not want to be named in any reporting.

CNN is accused by Young of smearing him by implying he illegally profited when assisting people flee Afghanistan during the Biden administration's withdrawal from the country in 2021. Young claims that CNN destroyed his reputation and business by branding him an illegal profiteer who exploited "desperate Afghans" during a November 11, 2021, segment on "The Lead with Jake Tapper."

Text messages revealed that Bo Lillis, the first CNN reporter Young interacted with, did not guarantee to keep his name out of the story. The messages showed that Bo Lillis persisted in requesting a phone call from Young regarding his evacuation efforts, while Young maintained that he only wanted background information on the "lay of the land." Young stated that he does not enjoy receiving attention.

He wrote that he still prefers not to be named in any article as a condition of talking with him.

Young explained to Bo Lillis that he doesn't anticipate Afghans being able to afford his prices, and instead, he is concentrating on collaborating with individuals who have sponsors or large corporations willing to pay for their evacuation from the war zone.

The jury was captivated by the messages, and eventually, Young stated that whoever provided the information was spreading "slander." She urged him to verify the facts.

Young wrote, "Your article's focus is clear, but I kindly request that you double-check your facts to prevent libel as you continue."

If he had known he was the focus of a story, Young stated that he would have called a lawyer "immediately."

Young was contacted by Marquardt, who later reported on the lawsuit's central story.

Young was informed by Marquardt that he was working on a story about his interactions with people seeking his services and asked if he preferred to discuss it via phone or text.

Marquardt said the story would run that afternoon, but Young requested some time to respond properly.

""I need a few days to review and provide comment because that is not a realistic deadline," Young responded."

Young testified that he was not contacted by Marquardt despite Marquardt's insistence that he had already reached out on LinkedIn the prior week. The CNN correspondent, who is expected to be called as a witness, gave Young only two hours to respond to a series of questions.

Marquardt's deadline is not realistic, and some of his facts are inaccurate. If they are published, Young will seek legal damages.

Marquardt moved forward with the story anyway.

The jurors, who refused a brief recess to continue listening, were later shown the infamous segment and two teasers promoting the report by CNN anchor Jake Tapper.

Tapper initially hinted at the 2021 segment of the suit by cautioning CNN viewers about "desperate Afghans being preyed upon by those demanding payment for their escape." Later, he announced that the story on "desperate Afghans being preyed upon" would be covered next.

Tapper stated that Marquardt discovered that "Afghans attempting to flee the country encounter a black market filled with false promises, excessive fees, and no assurance of safety or achievement."

Marquardt stated that desperate Afghans are being exploited and need to pay exorbitant, often impossible amounts to flee the country.

Marquardt highlighted Young, displaying his photo on the screen and stating that his company required $75,000 to transport a group of passengers to Pakistan or $14,500 per individual to reach the United Arab Emirates.

"Prices well beyond the reach of most Afghans," Marquardt said.

"According to Marquardt, Young informed CNN that Afghans attempting to flee are required to have sponsors cover their expenses. Additionally, Young stated that evacuation costs are subject to change based on environmental factors."

Young repeatedly declined to reveal the cost or disclose if he was earning money, before playing a clip of an anonymous sympathetic man who couldn't afford to evacuate his family from Afghanistan.

Marquardt went back to Young, saying he received another text message.

Marquardt informed viewers that in another message, Zachary Young stated, "Availability is extremely limited, and demand is high," and added, "That's how economics works, unfortunately."

Marquardt's report was thanked by Tapper, who replied, "Unfortunately, hmm."

No other people or companies were named other than Young.

Young stated that he did not meet or interact with the two anonymous Afghans interviewed during the CNN segment, who were concerned about their families in Afghanistan and their ability to evacuate them.

The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan has forced many Afghans to flee, but they face challenges such as black markets, high fees, and no guarantee of safety or success.

During his marathon testimony, Young criticized CNN for assuming that any evacuation from a war zone would ensure safety and success.

The attorney of Young read dictionary definitions for "black market" to the jury.

One of them stated that there is an illegal trade in officially controlled or scarce commodities.

On Tuesday, jurors examined Young's DynCorp contract, which stipulated that he was prohibited from violating "black market" laws in his host country, and if he did, his contract would be terminated without severance. As a result, his contract was not renewed.

During the CNN segment, Young's face was visible, which led to a "complete mental breakdown," he testified.

"I went through a pretty bad time," he said.

On Wednesday, the young man broke down in tears on the witness stand while describing how the CNN report had impacted his personal life.

Young stated on the stand, "I am not the same man that my wife married. She never had to worry about me being the provider, and I always would be." As he grew emotional, he added, "I feel like a total failure since CNN aired its report about me."

The entire ordeal has impacted intimacy with his wife, said Young, who said he is now on antidepressants and medication for sleep.

"My libido is completely gone," Young said.

"He continued, "I'm not sure if it's the trauma or the medication that's causing this, but my wife has been very understanding. I feel completely destroyed, embarrassed, and emasculated.""

Despite not being present for the first three days of the trial, Young's wife was taking care of her sick mother and hoped to join him in Panama City during the second week.

David Axelrod, CNN's legal team member and namesake of the network's senior commentator, spent much of his time presenting tax returns to the jury during the cross-examination of Young. He questioned why Young deleted LinkedIn messages after the CNN report aired and peppered him with questions about his work history. The jury was sent home at 5 p.m. sharp, and Axelrod's cross-examination will continue on Thursday.