Ark. Jury Reaches Defense Verdict in Rubber Solvent Trial

TEXARKANA, Ark. -- After less than three hours of deliberations, an Arkansas jury reached a defense verdict in a tire builder benzene case, sources told HarrisMartin. Russell, et al. v. Ashland Inc., et al., No. 04-4116 (W.D. Ark.).

The 12-person U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas jury unanimously found for the defendants Aug. 28 after a two-week trial presided over by Judge Harry F. Barnes. The defendants remaining at the time of the verdict were Ashland and UNOCAL, according to the verdict sheet.

The claims were asserted by Arnold Wayne Russell and his wife, Pamela Russell, …