Profile of jurors in Vioxx trial in Humeston case
As we reported earlier that jury selection has been completed in the Humeston versus Merck trial for which opening arguments begin on the morning of September 14, we have some more details on the jurors. This is important because after the verdict was announced in the Carol Ernst case, Merck, many business-friendly publications/columnists, and conservative groups had attacked the jurors instead of agreeing that Merck had knowingly sold a dangerous product. They accused jurors of being less educated, unable to understand complex issues, and totally biased against a drug firm.
Here is a brief background on some of the jurors:
- 8th grade reading teacher
- Bookkeeper at a china company
- Accountant at a hotel
- Stay-at-home mother
- Prosecutor
- Wife of a retired surgeon
We believe that American law allows any American citizen to become a juror in any litigation. Therefore, a juror's education or IQ or background should not be an issue. And if that jury members fail to understand something the fault is not with them, the fault is with the attorneys who failed in their task.
In fact, after Carol Ernst won her lawsuit, Dr. David Graham was the first one to congratulate them for their fair decision.
Recommended article: Texas jurors acted professional in delivering the Vioxx verdict
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