Judge Rebuffs Removing Friction Defendants' Allegations of Bias, Reaffirms Remand

GREENVILLE, Miss. - A federal judge who remanded an asbestos case after finding that the defendants failed to show that certain retailer defendants were fraudulently joined has reaffirmed the ruling on reconsideration and further denied the defendants' attempt to have the judge recused for his alleged bias against defendants in asbestos removals. Duffin v. Honeywell International, Inc., et al., No. 03-389 (N.D. Miss.).

Judge Michael P. Mills of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi said in an order issued April 27 that he makes no apologies for comments he made in his decision to remand the …