Tobacco.org

Jury Delivers Positive Verdict for Brown & Williamson 

``Today's verdict for the defense reflects recognition by the jury that Brown & Williamson acted responsibly in the processes of researching, testing and designing our products,'' said Steven McCormick, attorney for the company. ``The jury's conclusions are consistent with the majority of court decisions, agreeing that smoking is a matter of personal choice.

``Today's verdict represents the third straight jury verdict for Brown & Williamson in over a month. In March, B&W won in the union Iron Workers case in Akron, Ohio. Earlier this week, B&W and other tobacco manufacturers won three separate suits brought by plaintiffs in Memphis, Tennessee.

``This verdict in Kansas City was particularly gratifying because the jury specifically found that B&W was zero percent at fault. Despite vigorous efforts by the plaintiff's attorney to punish the company by seeking punitive damages the jury found that B&W did absolutely nothing wrong.

Jump to full article »

This [Steele] verdict in Kansas City was particularly gratifying because the jury specifically found that B&W was zero percent at fault. Despite vigorous efforts by the plaintiff's attorney to punish the company by seeking punitive damages the jury found that B&W did absolutely nothing wrong.
Steven McCormick, attorney for B&W. Quoted in <i>Jury Delivers Positive Verdict for Brown & Williamson</i>