This morning, the Putney jury began its second day of deliberations.
In closing Phase 2 of the Putney tobacco litigation, Plaintiff attorney Charles Baumberger showed internal Phillip Morris documents evaluating the market potential of a "health cigarette," suggesting that "the illusion of filtration is important as the fact of filtration."
"There is no question that the conduct of the defendants was intentional...and the choices the defendants made to conceal, to avoid sharing the information they had, the intent to deceive the public with respect to their product was intentional, and it was gross, flagrant...This controversy was created by the tobacco industry, as a psychological crutch...to buy into if you're an addict."
Mr. Baumberger then read to the jury a letter that Margot wrote to her children on her birthday, six weeks before her death.
Defense attorney Dan Webb suggested that when people engage in risky behavior, they must accept the consequences of that behavior.
Webb also challenged Sharon Putney's credibility, based on her testimony about whether Margot Putney was a heavy alcohol consumer, or whether Sharon had ever suggested to Margot that cigarette smoking was dangerous.
According to Webb, punitive damages were not warranted. Phillip Morris had implemented all the design changes and warnings required by the government, and offered safer cigarettes with lower tar and less nicotine. The product is legal, said Webb, and the only advertisement now is at point of sale, and by email to existing customers.
CVN is webcasting the Putney Tobacco trial live.
