In a CNN defamation trial, the judge compelled the network's main lawyer to offer an immediate apology to the plaintiff in the courtroom.

On Thursday in Bay County Court, CNN's attorney was forced to apologize to the plaintiff in a high-profile defamation trial after being judged by William Henry.

On Wednesday, Judge Henry reprimanded CNN's lead counsel, David Axelrod, for repeatedly calling plaintiff Zachary Young a "liar." Before the jury entered the room on Thursday, Judge Henry inquired if Axelrod had ever apologized as instructed.

"I have not," Axelrod said.

Judge Henry stated, "Saying 'I'm sorry you were offended by that' is not an apology."

Axelrod apologized for his statements regarding the Helios contract and the implications they had. He acknowledged that he accused Mr. Young of lying during his deposition, which was similar to the testimony seen in the Conway letter.

Judge Henry asked Young if he accepted it.

"No, I don’t," Young responded.

Despite Axelrod calling him a "liar," Young was truthful in his deposition because the Helios contract cited in Axelrod's apology was an agreement to hold a security clearance, not an agreement to obtain work.

A Navy veteran named Young claims that CNN defamed him by suggesting he profited illegally while helping people flee Afghanistan during the Biden administration's withdrawal in 2021. Young believes that CNN's reporting destroyed his reputation and business by branding him an illegal profiteer who exploited desperate Afghans in a November 2021 segment.

Henry raised the fine to $1,000 and instructed lead counsel from both sides to pay $200 each after Wednesday's ordeal, which was in addition to the $100 fine he previously imposed for personal insults made by lawyers to the other side. The money will be donated to North Florida Legal Services.

Henry was also annoyed that Axelrod used "Mr. Henry" to refer to him in court and assured him that it was just a "slip up" for now.

Judge Henry stated that if the behavior is repeated today, it will be considered a deliberate and conscious insult.

Axelrod blamed the gaffe on having a "long day" and apologized.

On Wednesday, Henry informed Axelrod that his credibility with him was minimal.

On Wednesday, Planet Chronicle contributor Jonathan Turley stated that the judge's assertion that Axelrod had no credibility with him worsened the situation for CNN.

A judge's statement that something is never a good thing to hear is significant, and Axelrod's apology did not undo the considerable damage caused.

The ongoing trial is being streamed live here.