Scientologists Continue Protesting $30-Million Verdict Against Church

As thousands of Scientologists chanted and carried flags outside, attorneys for the Church of Scientology argued Thursday that a $30-million verdict against the group should be thrown out or a new trial granted.

Hundreds of Scientology followers have demonstrated outside the Los Angeles courthouse almost daily since July 22, when a Superior Court jury returned the huge damage award against the church in the case of former member Larry Wollersheim, who claims that the church wrecked him emotionally and financially when he balked at its teachings.

At a late afternoon hearing Thursday that stretched into evening before being adjourned until this afternoon, church attorneys argued that Superior Court Judge Ronald Swearinger should either overturn the verdict or grant a new trial.

They contend that the evidence did not support the award and that the church’s religious beliefs were unconstitutionally put on trial.

Scientology attorneys also say the suit should have been thrown out because the one-year statute of limitations had expired on Wollersheim’s claims.

“This verdict has struck fear into the hearts not only of Scientologists but of co-religionists across the United States,” church attorney Earle Cooley said. “It’s a killing verdict. It’s a crippling verdict. It’s a debilitating verdict.

“There is no evidence of sufficient substantiality to support a verdict for the plaintiff.”

Cooley contended that in court papers that Wollersheim’s attorney, Charles O’Reilly, used unfounded and inflammatory statements to influence the jury.

The church also argued that a new trial should be granted because jurors made prejudicial remarks against the church before hearing any evidence.

In a sworn declaration filed by church attorneys, a man who was considered as an alternate juror said he overheard the jurors who had already been chosen for the panel speculating before the trial began that the church was “guilty.”

Jury foreman Andre Anderson denied such a conversation ever took place. He said jurors did not discuss the case until deliberations began.

Scientology lawyers contend that jurors were trying to punish the religion itself by earmarking $25 million of the $30 million award for punitive damages. Church lawyers said the net worth of the Church of Scientology of California is $18 million.