Judge Threatens to Jail Bridgestone Lawyers

A Texas judge is threatening to jail and fine lawyers with Houston firm Vinson & Elkins for “intentionally” causing a mistrial in a quadriplegic’s suit against Bridgestone Corp.’s Firestone unit.

Matagorda County District Judge Craig Estlinbaum declared a mistrial last week when the tire maker’s lawyers violated a court order barring any mention of the plaintiff’s marijuana use. The judge ordered Firestone and its lawyers to show why he shouldn’t impose as much as six months in jail and $500 each in fines for contempt.

Relatives of Erin Brunner claim a faulty Firestone tire contributed to the 1999 rollover of a Ford Explorer that left the 22-year-old paralyzed.

Vinson & Elkins attorney Morgan Copeland told jurors that Brunner, another passenger and the vehicle’s driver had bought a bag of marijuana before driving from California to Texas. Neither Firestone nor Vinson & Elkins had any immediate comment.