Perhaps, up until the point where Dale identified himself and explained his purpose. At that point the only thing accounting for Ford's continued fist-raised rage was something completely exogenous - like, hmmm, say, a coke bender? The neighbour went quiet - i.e., refusing further comment or even corroboration of Ford's story - very soon thereafter, IIRC.
And they'd have to explain the photos showing the cinder blocks were moved.
And, more than a he said/he said thing, the cops could be called to testify to say they saw no evidence Dale climbed the fence, entered Ford's backyard or took any pictures whatsoever. More to the point, a cop could be called to say he reviewed Ford's own security footage, saw nothing and, I presume, told Ford that none of those things happened.
I don't think, "Well, I believe them anyway!" amounts to a libel defence, any more than Ford's singular definition of "conflict of interest," was.
I presume this doesn't actually get to court somehow.....but if it does, I don't like Ford's odds, not just because he's obviously lying, but because the police investigation will substantiate everything Dale has said. (I am curious if the police made a copy of the tape or just let Ford keep it, in which case it's obviously gone.)
(I also just appreciate the humour in how the Fords always threaten to sue people but they've never done anything. They just get taken to court by everyone else.)
Really, I'm mostly wondering why Ford is even doing this now. Surely he actually knows what happened so why drag it out? Why defend it having dragged it out? To draw the Star into a fight so you can campaign on how they're so biased they're suing you? That might play well with the moronic base still backing him, but won't win him any new people.
