Hole of Justice
By Peter G. Jimenea
Sensational Lovers’ Case
In
1981, Mrs Billie Jean King, the six-times Wimbledon Single Tennis Champion and
President of the Women’s Tennis Ass’n. (WTA), was accused by Marilyn Barnett,
her former personal secretary for breach of oral contract. The latter claimed they
are lovers but was forced to file the case when King demanded that she vacates the
Malibu beach home owned by the tennis star.
Barnett
testified that the house was promised to her by Mrs King through a verbal
agreement when they are still in the intimacy of a relationship. Unknown to
Barnett, King had earlier filed an eviction case against her because despite
the offer of money for her to leave the Malibu house, she rejected the offer
and refused to leave.
The
sensational case was feasted by the press. But days after the news broke out,
King called for a press conference. She was accompanied by her husband Larry
King, a sports promoter. At the press conference King admitted that she and
Barnett had been lovers when she was still active in the sport.
She
claimed to have told her husband about the affair when she noticed that Barnett
wants to get more money from her. She
also noticed that Barnett doesn’t want to give up the beach house despite the offer
of monetary consideration to start her new life when she vacates the place.
Barnett declined the offer and stood pat on her claim to the property.
Barnett
33, had filed a 13 page suit seeking a lifetime support and title to the Malibu
beach house which she said Mrs King had promised her. She abandoned her
hairdressing career to be the secretary of Mrs King from 1972 to 1979, while enjoying
the sexual intimacy on a regular basis. But now King demanded that she moves out
from the Malibu house so it can be sold.
Months
before the suit was filed, however, Barnett had fallen from a balcony of a
building and become a paraplegic. During the press conference, King denied their
relationship saying that she was shocked by the action of her secretary. But against
the advice of her lawyer, she admitted; “I did have an affair with Marilyn
Barnett.”
Her
mom and husband were there to give her full support when she addressed the journalist;
“I’ve always been honest. I’ve decided to talk with you as I’ve always talked
from my heart. I am very disappointed and shocked that Marilyn has done this,
not only to herself a very destructive thing, but to other people who cared for
her.”
King
added; “Though the affair had been over for some time, I made a mistake. I will
assume that responsibility. I discussed it with Larry – in some ways I think
we’re much closer today than we’ve ever been and our marriage is stronger.”
King tendered her resignation as president of WTA but was rejected by WTA
authorities and public response was overwhelmingly favourable to her as shown
by sacks of letters coming in.
The
niceties of the Court trial came in two parts. The first suit heard in December
1981, was filed by Mrs King and husband to force Barnett to leave the beach house.
The former hairdresser entered the Los Angeles Superior Court with stick and
long grey skirt to hide her leg braces. In the witness stand she was asked by
Mrs King’s counsel what she had done for the tennis star.
Barnett
answered; “I gave up my career, my identity, my pride and my home.” She
admitted hoping for a life-long relationship with King. When asked if the
tennis star owed her something, she said; “yes.” The Court, however, decided in
favour of King and husband. They won the right to evict Barnett from the
disputed beach house.
The
judge ruled that Barnett had come close to trying to extort money from the
tennis star; it appeared that Billie Jean King and husband had offered her
$125,000 to get her to leave the house. Ms Barnett had refused, according to the
judge, because she felt she can get more money. In November 1982, the judge
dismissed all Barnett’s claims and her plea for “Palimony” has failed. True, res
clamat domino- a thing insists for its owner!
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