Environmental & Energy
Jun. 29, 2026
Judge says record from retired colleague's trial is a 'Gordian knot'
A Los Angeles judge said he remains undecided whether alleged evidentiary errors during a Carson odor bellwether trial require overturning an $8.8 million verdict won by 24 residents.
A Los Angeles judge on Friday likened the record underlying post-trial challenges to an $8.8 million Carson odor verdict to a "Gordian knot," saying it was difficult to untangle months of proceedings he did not oversee while deciding whether alleged evidentiary errors warrant a new trial.
Superior Court Judge Lawrence P. Riff said he remained torn after two days of arguments, telling the parties he had drafted two possible rulings: one denying the defense's new trial...
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