Steele, et al. v. Monsanto Co., et al.

Summary

A California state court jury on Thursday rejected claims from two men who said they developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma from exposure to long-lasting carcinogenic chemicals manufactured by Monsanto Co. called polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, which they alleged the company sold for decades despite knowing their potential health risks.

Click here for more in-depth coverage via the CVN News Blog.

Outcome

Verdict for defense.

Case Information

Attorneys

Witnesses

Plaintiff: Brownlee, Paul
Defense: Monsanto Co.

Judge: Stephen Czuleger
Jurisdiction: Superior Court of California, Los Angeles
Court: Stanley Mosk Courthouse

Case Number: BC497582
Industry: Chemical
Practice Area: Toxic Torts, Environmental Law, Products Liability

Plaintiff

Brownlee, Paul

Defense

Monsanto Co.

Represented By:
Upshaw , Anthony (McDermott Will & Emery)
Dye, Richard (Butler Snow LLP)

Expert Witnesses

Lay Witnesses

Sessions

Attorney

Witness

Type

Description

AM Session

Openings

5 Chapters

	Description	Attorney
00:00:00	General Case Activities
00:06:46	Opening Statement	Frieling, Scott
01:39:04	Break
01:58:18	Opening Statement	Upshaw , Anthony
02:41:06	End of Session

PM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

5 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Frieling, Scott	Aronson, Dr. Kristan Ph.D.	In Person
01:26:45	Break
01:43:30	Witness Direct Examination	Frieling, Scott	Aronson, Dr. Kristan Ph.D.	In Person
03:14:54	Witness Cross Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Aronson, Dr. Kristan Ph.D.	In Person
03:22:04	End of Session

APR

AM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

5 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Cross Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Aronson, Dr. Kristan Ph.D.	In Person
01:22:52	Break
01:38:56	Witness Cross Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Aronson, Dr. Kristan Ph.D.	In Person
01:59:42	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Frieling, Scott	Aronson, Dr. Kristan Ph.D.	In Person
02:24:28	End of Session

PM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

6 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Carpenter, Dr. David M.D.	In Person
01:24:36	Break
01:40:29	Witness Cross Examination	Dye, Richard	Carpenter, Dr. David M.D.	In Person
02:23:32	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Carpenter, Dr. David M.D.	In Person
02:39:46	Witness Re-Cross Examination	Dye, Richard	Carpenter, Dr. David M.D.	In Person
02:46:51	End of Session

AM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

4 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Frieling, Scott	Aronson, Dr. Kristan Ph.D.	In Person
00:19:50	Witness Re-Cross Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Aronson, Dr. Kristan Ph.D.	In Person
00:31:05	Witness Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Carpenter, Dr. David M.D.	In Person
00:46:00	End of Session

APR

AM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

4 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Karabadzhakyan , Arutyun	In Person
00:33:09	Witness Cross Examination	Miller, Christine	Karabadzhakyan , Arutyun	In Person
00:44:02	Witness Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Steele, Fred	In Person
01:17:20	End of Session

PM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

6 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Cross Examination	Miller, Christine	Steele, Fred	In Person
00:04:26	Witness Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Fractor, David	In Person
00:57:41	Witness Cross Examination	Miller, Christine	Fractor, David	In Person
01:11:38	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Fractor, David	In Person
01:13:47	Witness Re-Cross Examination	Miller, Christine	Fractor, David	In Person
01:15:01	End of Session

APR

AM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

6 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Rosner, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
00:35:12	Break
00:42:48	Witness Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Rosner, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
01:40:14	Break
01:55:51	Witness Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Rosner, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
03:20:17	End of Session

PM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

4 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Rosner, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
01:36:39	Break
01:55:28	Witness Cross Examination	Miller, Christine	Rosner, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
02:54:53	End of Session

APR

AM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

5 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Cross Examination	Miller, Christine	Rosner, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
01:23:14	Break
01:47:36	Witness Cross Examination	Miller, Christine	Rosner, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
02:02:09	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Rosner, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
02:25:20	End of Session

PM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

7 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Rosner, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
00:09:13	Witness Re-Cross Examination	Miller, Christine	Rosner, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
00:11:24	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Rosner, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
00:12:26	Witness Direct Examination	Frieling, Scott	DeGrandchamp, Dr. Richard Ph.D.	In Person
01:48:14	Break
02:06:48	Witness Direct Examination	Frieling, Scott	DeGrandchamp, Dr. Richard Ph.D.	In Person
03:30:45	End of Session

APR

AM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

7 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Cross Examination	Dye, Richard	DeGrandchamp, Dr. Richard Ph.D.	In Person
01:28:34	Break
01:42:36	Witness Cross Examination	Dye, Richard	DeGrandchamp, Dr. Richard Ph.D.	In Person
01:56:19	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Frieling, Scott	DeGrandchamp, Dr. Richard Ph.D.	In Person
02:43:19	Witness Re-Cross Examination	Dye, Richard	DeGrandchamp, Dr. Richard Ph.D.	In Person
02:50:13	Witness Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Schiff, Dr. Ron M.D.	In Person
03:27:24	End of Session

PM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

8 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Schiff, Dr. Ron M.D.	In Person
01:19:47	Break
01:34:06	General Case Activities
01:36:06	Witness Cross Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Schiff, Dr. Ron M.D.	In Person
02:53:42	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Schiff, Dr. Ron M.D.	In Person
03:01:52	Witness Re-Cross Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Schiff, Dr. Ron M.D.	In Person
03:04:02	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Paul, Gary	Schiff, Dr. Ron M.D.	In Person
03:04:57	End of Session

APR

AM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

8 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Frieling, Scott	Levy, Dr. Barry M.D, M.P.H.	In Person
01:22:23	Break
01:40:12	Witness Direct Examination	Frieling, Scott	Levy, Dr. Barry M.D, M.P.H.	In Person
01:56:43	Witness Cross Examination	Dye, Richard	Levy, Dr. Barry M.D, M.P.H.	In Person
02:56:01	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Frieling, Scott	Levy, Dr. Barry M.D, M.P.H.	In Person
03:12:10	Witness Re-Cross Examination	Dye, Richard	Levy, Dr. Barry M.D, M.P.H.	In Person
03:12:39	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Frieling, Scott	Levy, Dr. Barry M.D, M.P.H.	In Person
03:13:15	End of Session

PM Session

Plaintiff Witness(es)

7 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	General Case Activities	Paul, Gary
00:01:40	Witness Direct Examination	Miller, Christine	Sarna, Dr. Gregory M.D.	In Person
01:29:32	Break
01:46:34	Witness Cross Examination	Paul, Gary	Sarna, Dr. Gregory M.D.	In Person
02:49:50	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Miller, Christine	Sarna, Dr. Gregory M.D.	In Person
03:00:15	Witness Re-Cross Examination	Paul, Gary	Sarna, Dr. Gregory M.D.	In Person
03:01:24	End of Session

APR

AM Session

Defense Witness(es)

5 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Shields, Dr. Peter	In Person
01:38:06	Break
01:56:20	Witness Direct Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Shields, Dr. Peter	In Person
03:01:42	Witness Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Shields, Dr. Peter	In Person
03:23:10	End of Session

PM Session

Defense Witness(es)

6 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Shields, Dr. Peter	In Person
01:27:17	Break
01:46:52	Witness Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Shields, Dr. Peter	In Person
02:38:38	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Shields, Dr. Peter	In Person
02:55:45	Witness Re-Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Shields, Dr. Peter	In Person
02:57:10	End of Session

APR

AM Session

Defense Witness(es)

7 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Dye, Richard	Kytomaa, Dr. Harri Ph.D.	In Person
01:19:24	Break
01:35:31	Witness Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Kytomaa, Dr. Harri Ph.D.	In Person
02:20:41	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Dye, Richard	Kytomaa, Dr. Harri Ph.D.	In Person
02:26:31	Witness Re-Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Kytomaa, Dr. Harri Ph.D.	In Person
02:27:17	Witness Direct Examination	Miller, Christine	Kaley, Dr. Robert II, Ph.D.	In Person
03:23:22	End of Session

PM Session

Defense Witness(es)

5 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Miller, Christine	Kaley, Dr. Robert II, Ph.D.	In Person
01:28:49	Break
01:48:46	Witness Direct Examination	Miller, Christine	Kaley, Dr. Robert II, Ph.D.	In Person
02:28:12	Witness Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Kaley, Dr. Robert II, Ph.D.	In Person
02:58:35	End of Session

APR

AM Session

Defense Witness(es)

5 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Eaton, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
01:30:34	Break
01:46:52	Witness Direct Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Eaton, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
02:46:32	Witness Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Eaton, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
03:10:58	End of Session

PM Session

Defense Witness(es)

5 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Eaton, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
01:21:05	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Eaton, Dr. David Ph.D.	In Person
01:34:17	Break
01:49:28	Witness Direct Examination	Upshaw , Anthony	Vorhees, Dr. Donna Ph.D.	Video Recording
03:10:48	End of Session

APR

AM Session

Defense Witness(es)

6 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Miller, Christine	Reitman, Dr. Maureen	In Person
01:24:44	Break
01:39:31	Witness Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Reitman, Dr. Maureen	In Person
02:24:21	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Miller, Christine	Reitman, Dr. Maureen	In Person
02:29:50	Witness Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Kaley, Dr. Robert II, Ph.D.	In Person
02:50:04	End of Session

PM Session

Defense Witness(es)

7 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Kaley, Dr. Robert II, Ph.D.	In Person
01:31:36	Break
01:48:16	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Miller, Christine	Kaley, Dr. Robert II, Ph.D.	In Person
02:32:21	Witness Re-Cross Examination	Frieling, Scott	Kaley, Dr. Robert II, Ph.D.	In Person
02:36:50	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Miller, Christine	Kaley, Dr. Robert II, Ph.D.	In Person
02:38:09	Witness Direct Examination	Dye, Richard	Saxon, Dr. Andrew M.D.	In Person
02:56:23	End of Session

MAY

AM Session

Defense Witness(es)

7 Chapters

	Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
00:00:00	Witness Direct Examination	Dye, Richard	Saxon, Dr. Andrew M.D.	In Person
00:52:16	Witness Cross Examination	Paul, Gary	Saxon, Dr. Andrew M.D.	In Person
01:27:42	Break
01:44:49	Witness Cross Examination	Paul, Gary	Saxon, Dr. Andrew M.D.	In Person
02:26:53	Witness Re-Direct Examination	Dye, Richard	Saxon, Dr. Andrew M.D.	In Person
02:36:06	Witness Re-Cross Examination	Paul, Gary	Saxon, Dr. Andrew M.D.	In Person
02:39:01	End of Session

MAY

AM Session

Closings

6 Chapters

PM Session

Other

2 Chapters

MAY

PM Session

Verdict

3 Chapters

MAY

Recording Disclaimer: This proceeding was recorded in full.

Steele, et al. v. Monsanto Co., et al.

Summary

Outcome

Sessions

Suggest a Trial

CVN Essentials

Video Library

	Description	Attorney
00:00:00	General Case Activities
00:01:07	Closing Statement	Frieling, Scott
01:34:53	Break
01:52:28	Closing Statement	Upshaw , Anthony
03:35:56	Closing Statement	Frieling, Scott
03:46:33	End of Session

			Description	Attorney	Witness	Presence
		00:00:00	Reading of the Verdict
		00:12:59	General Case Activities
		00:15:28	End of Session