Colo. District Court Denies Post-Trial Motions to Vacate $7.2 Million Diacetyl Judgment

DENVER — A federal judge has denied motions by Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. and other trial defendants to vacate a $7.2 million judgment on claims by a consumer that diacetyl used in microwave popcorn flavorings caused his lung injuries.

Senior Judge Wiley Y. Daniel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado also denied defendants’ motion for a new trial based on what defendants saw as evidentiary flaws on causation and the admissibility of prior injuries.

Judge Daniels’ April 10 order left in place the judgment resulting from a federal jury’s September 2012 award for plaintiffs Wayne and Mary …