A jury found both the Plaintiff and David Copperfield (and co-defendants) negligent, but ultimately found the Plaintiff 100% responsible for the proximate cause of his accident. Copperfield was defended by Elaine Fresch and Jerry Popovich of Selman Breitman. [Fox5Vegas; NPR]
In a Republican interview in lieu of debate that aired last night, Adam Laxalt was asked about his vote on the Fred Steese pardon. [TNI]
Metro may not have record of every officer that responded on October 1. [RJ]
Businessman (who had a residence in Las Vegas) is now representing himself after two criminal convictions. [Forbes]
Would love to hear any comments from trial observers as to what happened with the Copperfield verdict – did the jury just hometown them because the were a non-Nevada plaintiff with a NYC attorney, did the jury hometown them because they were protecting the number one industry in the state (score one for the casinos and those employed by them), or were there real problems with the case?
You have to figure they were insurance counsel brought in by some carrier (either MGM's or Copperfield's) that had used them as trial counsel in the past.
They're from an LA firm. They have a small office here in Vegas – mostly construction defect stuff.
Guest
Anonymous
May 30, 2018 5:03 pm
It's a bizarre verdict. Jury seems to say that Copperfield, et al. were negligent; but we don't like the plaintiff enough to award any money. There's an appeal in there somewhere.
This would not have happened to Eglet.
I don't think we need to go out on a limb to say that the out-of-town defense firm probably billed a shit-ton of hours on this, so there's that.
Mostly agree with 10:09. If Eglet took the case then Tracy would have settled it. She's good at that. They never would have spent weeks trying it. As far as "preferred judges" are concerned, yep there are those, but last I knew he wasn't in charge of the random assignment process when cases get filed.
11:14, I think that's less a function of judicial assignments and more a function that he's allegedly raised tens of thousands of dollars for most of the judges on the bench. So, if by chance the case is assigned to one he doesn't prefer, he kicks that judge and there's a great chance it lands with one he does. The perks of an elected judiciary, folks.
Guest
Anonymous
May 30, 2018 5:19 pm
Very interested to hear if the defense tendered an offer of judgment sometime prior to trial…
Guest
anonymous
May 30, 2018 5:40 pm
In other news, I hear Claggett had a $3m-plus verdict yesterday. Anyone have details on that?
Guest
Anonymous
May 30, 2018 7:10 pm
There was a comment yesterday that Stan Hunterton is out at the OBC. When you go to the page for OBC contacts, his name is no longer listed as being Bar Counsel.
There is no evidence of any kind that Stan Hunterton is out as OBC.The only people who would hope that Stan is out are those who fear, because of their own professional misconduct, the fearless and courageous way Stan enforced the NRPC and protected the public. Stan's been doing amazing work as OBC. Those of us who operate in an ethical manner owe him a debt of gratitude.
I agree with 12:51. When Stan first descended from the Heavens he Blessed all among the least of us, especially solo practitioners. His even tempered self control is a model for all those in leadership positions. His exceptional intellectual abilities can only be God-Given. …
one thing I can guarantee you is that Stan was not deposed as a result of being too big of a dick to attorneys or too unfair. my money is on somebody higher up got in a snit, so he is gone
i know but sometimes i just need to say something that sounds nice
Guest
Anonymous
May 30, 2018 8:16 pm
hahahaha 12:51 tears are literally rolling down my face right now – wow – that has to be the best trolling ever ever ever hahaha – I can't hardly breathe right now – I have to go
Guest
Anonymous
May 30, 2018 9:30 pm
Right 12:51, and when he farts, little cotton candy unicorns fill the room
Guest
Anonymous
May 30, 2018 9:33 pm
I am tired of the anonymous cowards on this blog attacking good decent people like Gene Leverty, Stan Hunterton and Jim Hardesty. These guys are making the world a better place while you are contributing nothing.
@2:46 – My favorite kind of sarcasm is the kind that is driest and most difficult to detect.
Guest
Anonymous
May 30, 2018 11:50 pm
I watched a couple minutes of the Republican Gubernatorial "Forum" last night. I didn't think it was possible for his face to be any more punchable, but alas, I was wrong. Somehow its powers have grown.
Did anyone else hear would-be Trump, Jr. say the word "irreprehensible" in his pre-rehearsed answer to the question about Me Too?
Guest
Anonymous
May 31, 2018 4:17 pm
I have to believe this part of the closing was very persuasive:
As Copperfield’s lawyer, Elaine Fresch, wrapped up her closing arguments, black letters spelling out “Who is the illusionist in this trial?” hung on a white screen in front of the eight women and four men deciding on a 2013 slip and fall at the MGM Grand.
Occasionally at breaks during the two-month civil trial, Gavin Cox has used the aid of a family member’s arm to walk through the Regional Justice Center. He testified about the need for such assistance earlier in the trial.
After Fresch played video that showed Gavin Cox walking unassisted outdoors, a lawyer for the show’s stagehands took the defense argument a step further.
“He was busted,” Lee Roberts said. “The tapes don’t lie. He’s been faking it in this courtroom.”
I agree that this was good argument. It's a good thing that a California lawyer was on the case with Lee Roberts. A Clark County attorney could not have possibly made the same argument on their own.
This is sarcasm. Lee Roberts is a fine lawyer and nice man.
Elaine has been practicing in Clark County for about as long as Lee has. Both are good lawyers. They defended the case in spite of having a California lawyer at the table.
Guest
Anonymous
May 31, 2018 4:27 pm
Vicki Greco pleaded guilty to three felonies according to the RJ:
Would love to hear any comments from trial observers as to what happened with the Copperfield verdict – did the jury just hometown them because the were a non-Nevada plaintiff with a NYC attorney, did the jury hometown them because they were protecting the number one industry in the state (score one for the casinos and those employed by them), or were there real problems with the case?
They had some sub rosa on the Plaintiff. Plaintiff did not come across as credible.
I heard about that, video taken while he was walking around unassisted during trial. I wonder how they got that in…
Who the efff are Elaine Fresch and Jerry Popovich? Why can't local attorneys defend that case? How come a case like this lasted more than 2 weeks?
Discuss.
You have to figure they were insurance counsel brought in by some carrier (either MGM's or Copperfield's) that had used them as trial counsel in the past.
They're from an LA firm. They have a small office here in Vegas – mostly construction defect stuff.
It's a bizarre verdict. Jury seems to say that Copperfield, et al. were negligent; but we don't like the plaintiff enough to award any money. There's an appeal in there somewhere.
This would not have happened to Eglet.
I don't think we need to go out on a limb to say that the out-of-town defense firm probably billed a shit-ton of hours on this, so there's that.
"This would not have happened to Eglet" because…
1. Not tried in front of one of E/P's preferred judges;
2. Not clear cut liability
Tracy would have settled the case at mediation. Wisely.
A billing bonanza.
Mostly agree with 10:09. If Eglet took the case then Tracy would have settled it. She's good at that. They never would have spent weeks trying it. As far as "preferred judges" are concerned, yep there are those, but last I knew he wasn't in charge of the random assignment process when cases get filed.
Eglet did have the case. Plaintiff dropped Eglet for a new attorney locally, who then associated in Benedict Morelli.
In a case he cares about, Eglet always ends up with the judge he wants. If you don't believe that; you're not paying attention.
11:14, I think that's less a function of judicial assignments and more a function that he's allegedly raised tens of thousands of dollars for most of the judges on the bench. So, if by chance the case is assigned to one he doesn't prefer, he kicks that judge and there's a great chance it lands with one he does. The perks of an elected judiciary, folks.
Very interested to hear if the defense tendered an offer of judgment sometime prior to trial…
In other news, I hear Claggett had a $3m-plus verdict yesterday. Anyone have details on that?
There was a comment yesterday that Stan Hunterton is out at the OBC. When you go to the page for OBC contacts, his name is no longer listed as being Bar Counsel.
Probably a nothingburger.
There also was a post that Janeen Isaacson is now in charge of OBC.
Stan, you will not be missed.
There is no evidence of any kind that Stan Hunterton is out as OBC.The only people who would hope that Stan is out are those who fear, because of their own professional misconduct, the fearless and courageous way Stan enforced the NRPC and protected the public. Stan's been doing amazing work as OBC. Those of us who operate in an ethical manner owe him a debt of gratitude.
@12:51 funny. not funny.
Janeen should have been offered the position before Stan.
12:51, what a crock.
12:51: nice troll
I agree with 12:51. When Stan first descended from the Heavens he Blessed all among the least of us, especially solo practitioners. His even tempered self control is a model for all those in leadership positions. His exceptional intellectual abilities can only be God-Given. …
12:51 and 2:29, y'all are too much! ��
Someone must have the scoop on what went down. Let's hear it!
one thing I can guarantee you is that Stan was not deposed as a result of being too big of a dick to attorneys or too unfair. my money is on somebody higher up got in a snit, so he is gone
Stan left on his own. He is not well, in any sense of the word.
well i wish him good luck. there is enough hatred in this biz
It is not hatred. It is karma, and it is best served cold.
i know but sometimes i just need to say something that sounds nice
hahahaha 12:51 tears are literally rolling down my face right now – wow – that has to be the best trolling ever ever ever hahaha – I can't hardly breathe right now – I have to go
Right 12:51, and when he farts, little cotton candy unicorns fill the room
I am tired of the anonymous cowards on this blog attacking good decent people like Gene Leverty, Stan Hunterton and Jim Hardesty. These guys are making the world a better place while you are contributing nothing.
Says an anonymous coward known only as 2:33 pm.
I would ask 2:37 if it is possible that 2:33 is simply indulging in sarcasm, albeit in its driest and most difficult to detect form.
2:37 AND 2:46 best comments of the day!
@2:46 – My favorite kind of sarcasm is the kind that is driest and most difficult to detect.
I watched a couple minutes of the Republican Gubernatorial "Forum" last night. I didn't think it was possible for his face to be any more punchable, but alas, I was wrong. Somehow its powers have grown.
Keeping it classy I see.
better get used to that face these next 4/8 yrs so long as the dems are fighting over who is more liberal.
ahem, progressive.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Did anyone else hear would-be Trump, Jr. say the word "irreprehensible" in his pre-rehearsed answer to the question about Me Too?
I have to believe this part of the closing was very persuasive:
As Copperfield’s lawyer, Elaine Fresch, wrapped up her closing arguments, black letters spelling out “Who is the illusionist in this trial?” hung on a white screen in front of the eight women and four men deciding on a 2013 slip and fall at the MGM Grand.
Occasionally at breaks during the two-month civil trial, Gavin Cox has used the aid of a family member’s arm to walk through the Regional Justice Center. He testified about the need for such assistance earlier in the trial.
After Fresch played video that showed Gavin Cox walking unassisted outdoors, a lawyer for the show’s stagehands took the defense argument a step further.
“He was busted,” Lee Roberts said. “The tapes don’t lie. He’s been faking it in this courtroom.”
https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/courts/man-suing-david-copperfield-deceived-jury-lawyers-say/
I agree that this was good argument. It's a good thing that a California lawyer was on the case with Lee Roberts. A Clark County attorney could not have possibly made the same argument on their own.
This is sarcasm. Lee Roberts is a fine lawyer and nice man.
Elaine has been practicing in Clark County for about as long as Lee has. Both are good lawyers. They defended the case in spite of having a California lawyer at the table.
Vicki Greco pleaded guilty to three felonies according to the RJ:
https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/courts/suspended-las-vegas-lawyer-pleads-guilty-to-felonies/
And the 3 felonies + the GM "encompassed the entirety of her acts." Didn't stop the DA from indicting her on 138 counts to begin with, though.