‘The Help’ Lawsuit Tossed Out
A maid lost her chance for a $75,000 judgment against author Kathryn Stockett, who she said borrowed her likeness for the best-selling novel, The Help. Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green tossed the lawsuit Tuesday, not on its merits but because Ablene Cooper missed the legal window for filing the claim.
When Cooper emerged from the Hinds County Courthouse Tuesday, she screamed, “She’s a liar. She did it. She knows she did it.” She then pointed to members of the press, asking if they knew anyone else with the same first name as hers. A main character in The Help is Aibileen.
Her attorney, Edward Sanders, said they may appeal. The movie based on the book was shot in Mississippi. It opened last week to mostly favorable reviews and has already earned $36 million at the box office.
