Judge Grants Plaintiff Motion for Mistrial in Benzene Case

GENEVA, Ill. -- An Illinois judge has granted a plaintiff's motion for mistrial midway through a benzene trial in which counsel for the plaintiff argued that defense attorneys had asked questions prohibited by a pre-trial order. Hornback v. River Valley Chemicals, No. 06 L 528 (Ill. 16th Jud. Cir. Ct., Kane Cty.).

Trial began June 1 before Judge Judith M. Brawka of the Illinois 16th Judicial Circuit Court for Kane County. After four days of testimony, and near the end of the plaintiff's case, plaintiff's counsel moved for a mistrial, arguing that defense counsel had asked fact witnesses questions regarding …