UM Grace Case

 Elwood “Chip” Wood, former W.R. Grace executive and supervisor of several of the individual defendants, started this afternoon’s testimony. Defense attorneys David Bernick, Carolyn Kubota, David Krakoff, and Thomas Frongillo all directly examined Wood.

He testified to timelines and several documents working against the theory of a conspiracy, due to temporal differences in time, work locations, and job duties. Wood told the jury an impassioned story regarding his reaction to Robert Locke’s “options memo” (in which Locke suggested obstructing government scientific investigation). Wood described engaging in a “slow burn” due to the memo, and then informing his staff that he was “ashamed,” and how divergent Locke’s opinions were from Grace’s established policies.

Prosecutor Kevin Cassidy asked Wood several questions inquiring why, in a prior interview with government agents, Wood had not described his “slow burn.” With the aid of several defense objections, Wood pointed out that the government had not asked about his reaction, so he would not have discussed it.

After a mildly productive cross-examination (where Wood repeatedly discussed his disgust for Locke’s ideas), Cassidy yielded the floor to Bernick for re-direct. Bernick led Wood through several exhibits showing examples of the government’s knowledge, even as early as the 1960’s, of the health hazards of tremolite asbestos.

Wood’s testimony wrapped up just after 3:00 pm. The gallery quickly filled during the break in anticipation of the late afternoon conclusion of the cross-examination of Robert Locke.

Mark Lancaster – posted 3:58 PM