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Libby Resident Disappointed with W. R. Grace Trial Outcome

The federal trial against W. R. Grace and three of its former executives has made headlines all over the country. But few people not directly involved in the case have bothered to take the time to watch the trial unfold in person.

Kimm Copeland is the exception to that statement. A Libby native, Copeland attended almost every day that court was in session, making the drive along the length of the Bitterroot from Victor to Missoula to sit in on the W.R. Grace trial.

As closing arguments came to an end on Wednesday, Mr. Copeland shared his thoughts with reporters about regarding his hometown of Libby being at the center of this asbestos controversy.

"According to the Old West saying, I think our team is out gunned…at one time they told me they had 40 lawyers on the other side….But, I think (Prosecuting Attorney) McClain is going the best he can."

When asked if he thought the jury would decide that Grace was guilty, Copeland responded: "Well my instinct tells me their Montanans, and I hope they come back with the right verdict."

Copeland has spent most of his life in Libby, and now suffers from multiple sclerosis and has pleural plaques in his lungs. Plaque buildup within the lung cavity is often an early warning sign that an individual will develop mesothelioma, a fatal cancer.

Copeland seems to have nothing but distaste for W. R. Grace. "I’ve said it before. Murder is murder, and I don’t care what you call it. I know those are harsh words (but), a lot of these people have died and are still dying."

Kimm Copeland grew up playing baseball and other sports in the ball fields adjacent to the W.R. Grace vermiculite mine.

On Friday, a jury in Missoula, Montana found W. R. Grace and three of its former executives not guilty on all eight counts. The company and its former execs were charged with obstruction of justice, issuing false statements and “knowingly endangering” the residents of Libby. Charges against the former Vice President of W. R. Grace and another executive were dropped by Judge Donald Molly, who cited insufficient evidence.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 11th, 2009 at 10:58 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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