California Judge Declines to Apply Iranian Law to Ongoing Asbestos Trial

LOS ANGELES -- A California judge has declined to apply Iranian law in an asbestos case which is currently in trial, sources told HarrisMartin. Shahabi v. A.W. Chesterton, et al., No. BC379085 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

In the June 30 decision made shortly before jury selection, Judge Robert H. O'Brien of the Los Angeles County Superior Court found that no Iranian interest would be impaired if California law was applied during trial.

"There is insufficient evidence supporting a finding that Iran has a current interest in enforcing its law as between a U.S. citizen, and long-time resident …