Asbestos trial reset to October

An asbestos case that was set to go to trial in Orleans Parish Civil District Court May 17 over the mesothelioma death of Slidell resident Cephus Greene has been postponed until Oct. 11.

Greene was diagnosed with mesothelioma in March 2000, which was allegedly caused by asbestos exposure while he was working as a millwright with materials made, produced and/or distributed by some 14 companies dating back to 1938.

There are 40 defendants named in the suit, including Shell Oil, Murphy Oil, Asbestos Corporation, Viacom Inc., Entergy Louisiana and Northrup Grumman Ship Systems.

New Orleans attorney Steven Jupiter represents Greene's decedents, Virginia Greene, Ernestine Foret, James Greene, George Greene, Audrey Nelson, Anna Pickett, Ernest Greene and William Greene.

Defendants filed motions to suspend the trial in early February because "plaintiffs have only recently provided the names of fact witnesses who can testify about Cephus Greene's allege occupational asbestos exposure," states a February brief submitted by Murphy Oil supporting co-defendants' motion to suspend the trial.

The case is being presided over by Judge Robin Giarrusso.

Orleans Parish Case 2001-03775