Arthur Kent defamation trial hears column in question available for years

A forensic computer expert says an article at the heart of a defamation lawsuit filed by former television reporter Arthur Kent was readily accessible for years after it was originally published.

Kevin Ripahas testified that all it took was a simple check on Google to find the 2008 column by Don Martin.

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Kent, who became known as the Scud Stud for his live reports for NBC during the Gulf War, is suing Martin, Postmedia and the National Post over the column.

Headlined "'Scud Stud' A 'Dud' On The Election Trail," it criticized Kent as an ego-driven, out-of-control candidate.

Ripa told court the article was available for nearly five years on several sites and traced back to the National Post website.

He said the websites carrying the Martin column seemed to be current otherwise with up-to-date advertising and links to stories of the day.