UM Grace Case

After a three-month trial, jurors deliberated for just one full day before acquitting W.R. Grace Co. and three of its executives Friday of all criminal charges.
The company and executives were accused of knowingly exposing residents and mine workers to toxic asbestos, a byproduct of the company’s vermiculite mine in Libby, Mont.
In closing the trial, Judge [...]

After lying under oath in his first testimony, former W.R. Grace employee Robert Locke took the stand one last time Tuesday afternoon.
But this time, he wasn’t asked about Grace, Libby, or even asbestos. He was asked about his special relationship with government attorneys and agents.
With the jurors present once again, Judge Donald Molloy told [...]

   The parties have filed their motions and briefs on the Rule 29 Motions for Acquittal and the Motions to Dismiss for Prosecutorial Misconduct.  The motions will likely be argued Monday, April 27, a day reserved for legal arguments outside the presence of the jury.  The prosecutorial misconduct issue must be resolved before the Rule [...]

   After a short court week, the parties will return to court Monday morning for arguments on two different pending motions:  motions for dismissal due to prosecutorial misconduct and motions to acquit for insufficient evidence (Rule 29 motions).
The intersection of these legal manuevers by the defense places the case in an interesting procedural position.  The [...]