Judge dismisses juror with COVID-19, says Flint water crisis trial cant afford further delay – MLive.com

FLINT, MI -- A juror in a bellwether Flint water crisis civil trial has been dismissed after testing positive for COVID-19 for a second straight week on Monday, May 23.

U.S. District Court Judge Judith E. Levy excused the juror despite objections from two engineering consultants that four Flint children are suing in the trial.

Levy said that waiting for the juror, who first reported her illness on May 17, was no longer an option with the case already taking more time than she expected and other days already scheduled off to accommodate the remaining nine members of the jury.

I dont think we have a reasonable alternative ... Im just very concerned we will lose the momentum and cohesiveness of the jury if we continue to wait, the judge said Monday. If we want this jury on our case, I dont think we have a choice because people lose momentum. Their memories will crash and burn if were not here, working with them.

The water crisis civil trial began in late February and Levy had originally estimated it could be concluded by June.

But attorneys for the Flint children have yet to conclude making their case, and attorneys for Veolia North America and Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam have yet to call a single witness at the trial.

Attorneys for the children claim Veolia and LAN bear partial responsibility for injuries, including brain damage, that their clients suffered after drinking Flint water during the water crisis.

They claim the companies, each of which consulted with the city during the water emergency, were negligent in their work in Flint.

The companies have questioned the injuries alleged by the children and said local, state and federal officials are responsible for any damages caused by the water crisis.

Levy has been conducting the water trial from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, but some days have run short or were taken off the calendar because of illnesses, juror commitments and the availability of witnesses.

The case is scheduled to resume Tuesday, May 24, in Ann Arbor.

Read more at The Flint Journal:

Garbage investigation has cost Flint taxpayers $25K so far and next steps unclear

Flint kids math achievement decreased after water crisis, UM study says

Summer-long I-69 traffic shift starts in Lapeer County

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Judge dismisses juror with COVID-19, says Flint water crisis trial cant afford further delay - MLive.com