By AP/KWMU
Washington – The U.S. Supreme Court is staying out of a legal fight between a former pro hockey player and the creator of a popular comic series.
Former St. Louis Blues player Tony Twist sued artist Todd McFarlane, who named a violent mafia character after Twist in the comic series "Spawn."
Twist says the character hurt his image and cost him endorsements. He was awarded more than $24 million by a Missouri jury. The award was overturned on appeal, but the Missouri Supreme court ordered a second trial.The U.S. Supreme Court turned away an appeal from McFarlane, who contends his work is free speech.