LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As a jury trial for a civil lawsuit against the Louisville Water Company (LWC) entered week two, it quickly reached an abrupt end as the judge declared a mistrial.
The utility company is at the center of four lawsuits claiming racial discrimination, retaliation and hostile working conditions. Vetting and securing a jury took the whole day last Tuesday as attorneys asked very specific questions about previous prejudice.
Josh Bridges is the first of four men suing LWC to go into a jury trial.
As the judge called for the first short break in Monday's trial, a key witness for the defense who was in attendance collapsed in the courtroom due to a medical emergency. After first responders cared for the individual, attorneys were back in the courtroom.
Attorneys on both sides pleaded why they should and should not continue this trial.
"As much as it pains us... and believe me it pains us to rethink about how to retry this case sometime in the future, we believe our client is entitled to a full throw of defense in the case," said a defense attorney for LWC.
One of Bridges' attorneys objected to "any form" of continuation of the trial, arguing they would not be able to get the jury back.
But after hearing from attorneys on both sides, the judge declared a mistrial.
"Over the past month there have been a lot of obstacles that just almost derailed us and this one ultimately has," the judge said. "As an essential witness for the defense who's medically unavailable, the court believes it has no choice but to grant the motion for a mistrial."
Bridges' attorney said they sympathize with the situation, but this isn't the first time a medical emergency took place in court.
"I think it would be worth looking at any redactions of testimony of other witnesses before we completely stop this trial," his attorney said.
Bridges' attorney denied speaking to WHAS11 for an interview after the hearing, but said they want the judicial process to speak for itself.
WHAS11 also reached out to LWC on this decision.
"Right now, the health and safety of the individual is what matters most," the company said in a statement. "We continue to look forward to sharing the facts for our case as we are confident they will show that Louisville Water treats our employees - no matter their background - with fairness and respect. We value everyone who works at Louisville Water."
Although it would take another long process to find a new jury, the trial is now on hold until they determine a future date to resume.
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