Mark Lanier delivers his "Desperate Executives" closing argument against Merck's Vioxx medication. Atlantic County Superior Court, Atlantic City, NJ. Purchase the full video at www.courtroomview.com
The unpopular truth is that in jury trials (especially civil claims)......cases rarely turn on what is legally relevant. Cases come down to emotion.......almost every time. It is the advocates place to provide a legal pretext or precedent for the jury to use in it's deliberation, however. But the scale needed to satisfy burden of proof in a civil claim is VERY differnt from criminal cases.
Anyone who has to argue 51% standard of proof seems just as desperate as the desperate executives he mocks. Emotional appeals are not evidence. Effective for the jury? Probably. Effective in the eyes of the reviewing appeals court? Not likely. His big win in the fire Vioxx trial in Texas was reduced by about 90% by the trial court and then later reversed entirely on appeal because there was insufficient evidence to establish causation.
the defense atty uses csi analogy this guy destroys it and then resurrects it to Slam the defense - I bet thats one sorry defense team - "desperate executives"lmfao
The unpopular truth is that in jury trials (especially civil claims)......cases rarely turn on what is legally relevant. Cases come down to emotion.......almost every time. It is the advocates place to provide a legal pretext or precedent for the jury to use in it's deliberation, however. But the scale needed to satisfy burden of proof in a civil claim is VERY differnt from criminal cases.
silas9735 8 months ago
He did not make up the 51% standard - so don't knock him for having to meet a standard that is set in place for him. that's just illogical.
beachrunner2011 1 year ago
Anyone who has to argue 51% standard of proof seems just as desperate as the desperate executives he mocks. Emotional appeals are not evidence. Effective for the jury? Probably. Effective in the eyes of the reviewing appeals court? Not likely. His big win in the fire Vioxx trial in Texas was reduced by about 90% by the trial court and then later reversed entirely on appeal because there was insufficient evidence to establish causation.
jasonbarnes0 1 year ago
Mark Lanier = Merck's worst nightmare
Merck stole Lanier's "CSI" closing argument from the Texas case, then Lanier skillfully throws it in their face
jbage007 1 year ago
the defense atty uses csi analogy this guy destroys it and then resurrects it to Slam the defense - I bet thats one sorry defense team - "desperate executives"lmfao
QAWwaqX 2 years ago
omg
QAWwaqX 2 years ago