Mistrial Declared in Lead-Paint Case
A Rhode Island judge declared a mistrial in a lawsuit against companies that used to make lead-based paint, after a jury failed to decide whether lead paint should be declared a public nuisance.
Judge Michael Silverstein sent the jurors home after four days of deliberation ended in deadlock, handing a major victory to DuPont Co., Sherwin-Williams Co. and other former lead-paint makers or their successors, which could have faced millions of dollars in damages.
Rhode Island Atty. Gen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s office said it intends to retry the case.
Shares of DuPont rose 60 cents to $41.20, and shares of Sherwin-Williams rose $3.12 to $27.68, both on the NYSE.
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