Hon. Judge Sam Pendino declared a mistrial today in the Betty Allen v. R.J. Reynolds tobacco trial after the jury deadlocked in their second day of deliberations on the issue of addiction.
During the first day's deliberation the jury asked for a definition of "addiction." During the second day's deliberation the jury asked how to proceed if a jury member did not believe in addiction, and thought that addiction to cigarettes was impossible? Judge Sam Pendino concluded that the jury would not be able to reach a verdict and declared a mistrial.
CVN webcast the Betty Allen tobacco trial live.