Settlement pending in Ventura's case against 'Sniper' author

MINNEAPOLIS – Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura and the estate of "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle are apparently working toward a settlement in a yearslong defamation case.

A court docket entry on Thursday says an upcoming conference and deadline for written statements were cancelled based on a "pending settlement." Attorneys for both sides didn't comment when asked for details Thursday by The Associated Press.

Ventura sued Kyle in 2012 after Kyle, a retired Navy SEAL, wrote in an autobiography that he punched a man who made derogatory remarks about SEALs. Kyle later said the man was Ventura. Ventura says the incident was fabricated.

Kyle was killed in 2013 but the case continued against his estate.

Ventura won a $1.8 million verdict in 2014, but it was overturned on appeal. Ventura previously said he'd seek a new trial.