Forum
Missouri Supreme Court
Case Status
Decided
Docket Number
Oral Argument Date
October 04, 2017
Case Updates
Missouri Supreme Court holds that lower court did not abuse its discretion by failing to grant a new trial after learning juror failed to disclose information that called into question the jury’s impartiality
May 22, 2018
Click here to view the opinion.
U.S. Chamber urges Missouri Supreme Court to recognize importance of impartial juries and fair tribunals
May 15, 2017
The U.S. Chamber filed an amicus brief with the Missouri Supreme Court to explain that impartial juries and fair tribunals are of critical importance to the nation’s business community. In this case, the defendant claims that a potential juror intentionally failed to disclose that a family member had also been involved in a car accident, and the defendant claims that her presence on the jury deprived the defendant of an impartial tribunal. According to the Chamber’s brief, intentional juror nondisclosure of potential bias deprives parties of their constitutional right to a fair trial. The Chamber warned against reading juror selection rules in such a manner as to require parties to conduct unreasonable investigations of potential jurors.
William Ray Price, Jr. and Jeffery T. McPherson of Armstrong Teasdale LLP and Christopher J. Walker served as counsel for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the U.S. Chamber Litigation Center.
Case Documents
- Opinion -- Spence v. BNSF Railway Company (Missouri Court of Appeals).pdf
- Application for Transfer -- Spence v. BNSF Railway Company (Missouri Supreme Court).pdf
- U.S. Chamber Amicus Brief -- Spence v. BNSF Railway Company (Missouri Supreme Court).pdf
- Association of American Railroads Amicus Brief -- Spence v. BNSF Railway Company (Missouri Supreme Court).pdf
- Opinion -- Spence v. BNSF Railway Company (Missouri Supreme Court).pdf