A judge ruled that vampire novelist Anne Rice did not libel a restaurateur when she ridiculed his cafe as gaudy, tacky and less dignified than a flophouse.
But now that the case is over, will the author take Al Copeland up on his offer to dine at his restaurant and search for her fictional vampire, Lestat?The judge dismissed claims that Rice libeled and used unfair trade practices against Copeland, founder of the Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken chain, when she took out a full-page newspaper advertisement in February.
In the ad, Rice called his Straya California Creole Grand Cafe an abomination and said she was humiliated by its flashy facade on historic St. Charles Avenue. She said it had less dignity than a flophouse.
The judge agreed with Rice that her remarks were constitutionally protected.
Copeland said he won't appeal if Rice doesn't pursue the matter.