Defendants Oppose Petition in Supreme Court; Say Federal Question Lacking

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Defendants in an Alabama benzene case have opposed a petition seeking review from the nation's highest court, contending that the U.S. Supreme Court does not have jurisdiction because the lower court decisions did not address a federal question. Cline v. Ashland Inc., et al., No. 06-1329 (U.S. Sup. Ct.).

In the May 1 response, the defendants claim that the petition should be denied because Jack Cline's widow did not establish that "a question of substantial constitutional importance is presented."

Martha Jane Cline asked the U.S. Supreme Court on April 2 to determine whether Alabama's "perverse" statute of …