UM Grace Case

The start of Day 9 of the W.R. Grace trial saw the conclusion of Mel Parker’s testimony, followed by that of his wife, Lerah. Dr. Alan Whitehouse was called to the stand for enough time to recount his personal history before the court recessed.
Parker’s testimony on Wednesday went more smoothly than  Tuesday’s somewhat rocky [...]

The cross-examination of Mel Parker by defense attorney Frongillo continued this morning. Mr. Frongillo focused on whether Mr. Parker had knowledge that the property he purchased from Grace was contaminated with asbestos prior to November 1999. Mr. Frongillo attempted to admit two newspaper articles into evidence (defense proposed exhibits 5017 and 5020). The first [...]

Government prosecutor Kris McLean continued his direct examination of Mel Parker at 3:15 p.m. Parker testified that from early spring of 1995 through fall of 1997, fifteen to twenty logging trucks per day kicked up large amounts of dust while driving down Rainy Creek Road near his property. The Parkers’ property was Grace’s former [...]

 This afternoon’s proceedings began with Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Cassidy concluding his re-direct examination of Paul Peronard of the EPA. Cassidy led Peronard through a series of exhibits already in the record, many of which the defense had used during cross-examination. As with any re-direct, Cassidy aimed to buttress any weaknesses or inconsistencies in [...]

Former federal judge Paul Cassell, lawyer for Libby residents Melvin and Lerah Parker, will be filing a writ of mandamus with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals tomorrow, Tues., Feb. 24, asking the appeals court to reverse Judge Molloy’s decision that the Parkers and other Libby residents are not crime victims in this case. For more on [...]

Suits filled the lobby this morning, waiting anxiously to get into the courtroom.  Some seemed nervous.  Some paced.  A few seemed relaxed.  One even smiled.  All seemed alert, though the yawning began within the first hour of voir dire examination.  The jurors had entered the courtroom early, where they were instructed on the possible [...]