Tobacco Documents Online

0 • BROWN & WILLIAMSON STATEMENT REGARDING ROGERS VERDICT LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation issued the following statement regarding today's jury verdict in the Rogers v. R.J. Reynolds, et. al: Today's verdict in the Rogers trial proves that the tide has not turned against the tobacco companies and that common sense still prevails when it comes to these cases. This verdict is a great victory, especially when considering that plaintiffs spent nearly ten years preparing for this case and had two opportunities before a jury. The result in this trial also is strong proof that an appellate court will reverse the jury verdict in the Carter case of several weeks ago. During the Carter trial, the jury was instructed improperly and permitted to hear inadmissible evidence and evidence based on speculation. B&W is confident that an appellate review during the coming months will prove that the Carter verdict was the product of error. Testimony in the Rogers trial showed that the plaintiff freely made the decision to smoke and was completely aware of the risks associated with the use of tobacco products. The jury obviously agreed and rejected the claims that the plaintiff was 'addicted' to cigarettes. This verdict confirms that, despite the antics of plaintiffs' lawyers, the public has been aware of the claimed risks of smoking for decades. Future juries will undoubtedly continue to apply common sense when considering these same issues at other trials in the future. SOURCE Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation -0- 8/23/96 /CONTACT: Tom Fitzgerald of Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, 502-243-0123/ CO: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation ST: Kentucky IN: TOB SU: Copyright (c) 1996 Comtex Scientific Corporation Received by NewsEDGE/LAN: 8/23/9610:59 PM 0