TELEVISION - Feb. 29, 1996

Suit Stands: Making “The Jenny Jones Show” stand trial on a $25-million lawsuit arising from the slaying of one of its guests may force such talk shows to deal with people more honestly, a Michigan judge said Wednesday. Denying a request from the show’s attorneys to dismiss the civil case, the judge rejected their argument that the suit posed a threat to constitutional guarantees of free speech and expression. The lawsuit, filed by the family of the slain guest, seeks $25 million in damages from the show, producer Warner Bros., owner Telepictures Productions and guest Jonathan Schmitz. Schmitz is awaiting trial next month on a first-degree murder charge in the death of 32-year-old Scott Amedure, who was allegedly shot by Schmitz three days after Amedure revealed a secret homosexual crush on Schmitz on a March “Jenny Jones” taping. No trial date has been set.