Philadelphia Court Ruling Adds to Mixed Verdicts in Monsanto Litigation
A judge halted the latest Roundup cancer trial on December 10, 2024, declaring a mistrial after Monsanto’s defense team referenced the plaintiff’s previous alcohol-related criminal history during cross-examination. The judge ruled the disclosure constituted serious misconduct, granting the plaintiff’s same-day motion for mistrial. This decision follows two contrasting Philadelphia verdicts in similar Roundup cases while Bayer prepares to take the fight to the Supreme Court.
5 Key Points
- The judge declared a mistrial on December 10 after the defense attorney referenced the plaintiff’s criminal record.
- Philadelphia jury awarded William Melissen $78 million in October Roundup verdict.
- Monsanto won the November trial against plaintiff Judith Womack in the same court.
- Bayer plans a Supreme Court petition before 2025 to address ongoing litigation.
- More than 4,000 Roundup lawsuits remain pending in multidistrict litigation.
Defense Misconduct Triggers Swift Judicial Action
The latest Roundup trial collapsed when Monsanto’s defense attorney broke judicial protocol by mentioning the plaintiff’s previous alcohol-related criminal charge during cross-examination. The judge determined this disclosure breached court rules and constituted serious misconduct, prompting an immediate mistrial motion from the plaintiff’s legal team. The judge’s rapid approval of the motion the same day emphasized the severity of the procedural violation. Bayer, which purchased Monsanto for $63 billion in 2018, defended their legal strategy, stating the cross-examination about injury risk factors fell within appropriate bounds. The company characterized the plaintiff’s pursuit of a mistrial as “unusual and telling” while reiterating its stance on product safety.
Philadelphia Courts Deliver Opposing Verdicts
The Philadelphia court system delivered two contradictory decisions in Roundup cases in late 2024. Plaintiff William Melissen secured a $78 million verdict in October after proving his non-Hodgkin lymphoma developed from decades of Roundup exposure during yard maintenance work. The jury found the connection between his cancer diagnosis and long-term glyphosate exposure persuasive. Just weeks later, the same court ruled in favor of Monsanto in Judith Womack’s case, despite her parallel claims of cancer development following years of Roundup use. These divergent outcomes demonstrate how individual case presentations, scientific evidence interpretation, and jury composition shape verdicts in chemical exposure litigation.
Supreme Court Strategy Emerges as Lawsuits Mount
Bayer unveiled plans to seek a final resolution through the Supreme Court as state courts process thousands of similar Roundup cases. The company announced its intention to file a Supreme Court petition before or during 2025, aiming for a ruling in the 2025-26 session that could set a precedent for all Roundup litigation. The legal strategy shift comes as Bayer confronts more than 4,000 pending lawsuits in multidistrict litigation. These cases center on claims that Monsanto failed to warn users about potential cancer risks tied to glyphosate, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer labels as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Bayer maintains its position on Roundup’s safety, stating, “We remain confident that the extensive weight of scientific research and regulatory assessments support the safety of Roundup and that it is not responsible for the plaintiff’s injury.”
FAQ
Q: Am I eligible to file a lawsuit if I developed cancer after using Roundup or other weed killers?
A: If you or a loved one were diagnosed with cancer linked to Roundup or other weed killers, legal options may be available. Contact our legal experts to learn about your rights and start a free, confidential case review.
Q: What caused the latest Roundup trial to end in a mistrial?
A: The judge declared a mistrial after a Monsanto defense attorney improperly referenced the plaintiff’s previous alcohol-related criminal charge during cross-examination.
Q: How many Roundup lawsuits are currently pending?
A: Over 4,000 Roundup lawsuits remain pending in multidistrict litigation as of December 2024.
Q: What was the outcome of the William Melissen Roundup case?
A: A Philadelphia jury awarded William Melissen $78 million in October 2024 after he developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma following decades of Roundup use.
Q: What is Bayer’s next legal strategy for Roundup cases?
A: Bayer plans to file a petition with the Supreme Court during or before 2025, aiming for a decision during the 2025-26 session.
Q: What is the primary health concern associated with Roundup use?
A: The primary health concern is the potential risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with glyphosate classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Q: How has Bayer responded to recent trial outcomes?
A: Bayer maintains that scientific research supports Roundup’s safety while describing the recent mistrial request as “unusual and telling.”
Citations
Simmons, Christian (December 10, 2024). Judge Declares Mistrial in Latest Roundup Weed Killer Case. Consumer Notice. https://www.consumernotice.org/news/judge-declares-mistrial-in-latest-roundup-weed-killer-case/
