Monsanto’s series of defense victories in Roundup trials continues without interruption. The most recent trial, overseen by a Missouri judge, concluded unexpectedly when he decided to grant Monsanto’s motion for a directed verdict after plaintiff Mark McCostlin presented his evidence, but prior to the defense team making their case. The judge’s decision was based on legal necessity, rather than any judgements of merit within the arguments themselves. The remark “I have to follow the law“, was made on record regarding the conclusion of the trial.
The trial, which commenced on September 14, marks another key win for Monsanto in an ongoing series of litigations examining whether Roundup, a pesticide product, is a causative agent of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge Brian May was the presiding judge and it was his ruling that brought about the abrupt end to this latest trial. After the plaintiff, Mark McCostlin, finished presenting his case, the judge granted Monsanto’s motion for a directed verdict. This ruling often indicates that the judge believes the trial does not have enough evidence or legal leverage to proceed to the jury phase.
To sum up, the ruling ensures the continuation of Monsanto’s legal stronghold in the Roundup trials. These trials have been significantly impacting pesticide regulation discussions and the corporate legal environment at large.