BP to 'Vigorously' Defend Itself in Deepwater Horizon Civil Trial

BP insisted Tuesday that it will defend itself "vigorously" against gross negligence allegations during the Deepwater Horizon civil liability trial, which starts next Monday.

The first phase of the civil trial – to be held in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana – will be focused on the causes of the Deepwater Horizon accident and will examine who should be held responsible and to what degree.

"We have always been open to settlements on reasonable terms, failing which we have always been prepared to defend our case at trial. Faced with demands that are excessive and not based on reality or the merits of the case, we are going to trial," said Rupert Bondy, Group General Counsel of BP. "We have confidence in our case and in the legal team representing the company and defending our interests."

The court will ultimately determine whether BP or any other party was grossly negligent, but BP strongly disputes this charge.

"Gross negligence is a very high bar that BP believes cannot be met in this case,” said Mr Bondy. “This was a tragic accident, resulting from multiple causes and involving multiple parties. We firmly believe we were not grossly negligent."

Last November, BP and the U.S. government agreed to resolve all Federal charges and all Securities and Exchange Commission claims connected to the April 2010 disaster in return for $4.5 billion settlement paid by BP.

As part of the deal, BP agreed to plead guilty to 11 felony counts of "misconduct or neglect of ships officers" relating to the loss of the lives of 11 people as a result of the accident. It also agreed to plead guilty to one misdemeanor count under the Clean Water Act, one misdemeanour count under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and one felony count of obstruction of Congress.

The Deepwater Horizon explosion on April 20, 2010 resulted in the largest offshore spill in U.S. history.

A former engineer, Jon is an award-winning editor who has covered the technology, engineering and energy sectors since the mid-1990s. Email Jon at jmainwaring@rigzone.com.

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

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BP to 'Vigorously' Defend Itself in Deepwater Horizon Civil Trial

BP insisted Tuesday that it will defend itself "vigorously" against gross negligence allegations during the Deepwater Horizon civil liability trial, which starts next Monday.

The first phase of the civil trial – to be held in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana – will be focused on the causes of the Deepwater Horizon accident and will examine who should be held responsible and to what degree.

"We have always been open to settlements on reasonable terms, failing which we have always been prepared to defend our case at trial. Faced with demands that are excessive and not based on reality or the merits of the case, we are going to trial," said Rupert Bondy, Group General Counsel of BP. "We have confidence in our case and in the legal team representing the company and defending our interests."

The court will ultimately determine whether BP or any other party was grossly negligent, but BP strongly disputes this charge.

"Gross negligence is a very high bar that BP believes cannot be met in this case,” said Mr Bondy. “This was a tragic accident, resulting from multiple causes and involving multiple parties. We firmly believe we were not grossly negligent."

Last November, BP and the U.S. government agreed to resolve all Federal charges and all Securities and Exchange Commission claims connected to the April 2010 disaster in return for $4.5 billion settlement paid by BP.

As part of the deal, BP agreed to plead guilty to 11 felony counts of "misconduct or neglect of ships officers" relating to the loss of the lives of 11 people as a result of the accident. It also agreed to plead guilty to one misdemeanor count under the Clean Water Act, one misdemeanour count under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and one felony count of obstruction of Congress.

The Deepwater Horizon explosion on April 20, 2010 resulted in the largest offshore spill in U.S. history.

A former engineer, Jon is an award-winning editor who has covered the technology, engineering and energy sectors since the mid-1990s. Email Jon at jmainwaring@rigzone.com.

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

View the original article here

DNA, GPS on trial in case of Denver cop facing rape, kidnapping counts

Font ResizeLocal NewsBy Jessica Fender
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/17/2012 06:37:10 PM MSTDecember 18, 2012 1:46 AM GMTUpdated: 12/17/2012 06:46:44 PM MST

Denver jurors on Tuesday begin deliberating a rape and kidnapping case that pits a young police officer who lied to investigators against a woman with a checkered past and a history of heroin addiction.

Denver police officer Hector Paez, 33, is accused of driving the female arrestee to a secluded spot on May 16, 2010 and threatening to take her to jail on an outstanding warrant unless she performed oral sex on him.

One juror who was dismissed after closing arguments Monday said the prosecution made a compelling argument for the felony kidnapping charge against Paez, but said she was less sure about the sexual assault.

The victim incorrectly reported Paez was circumcised, she misidentified him in a photo lineup and there was no DNA evidence to back up her claim, said Lisa Simms.

"I definitely think the lack of DNA was pretty big for me," said Simms, who was excused to take care of a personal matter. "For the prosecution, the GPS was huge. It would have been a tough decision."

A GPS unit in Paez' patrol car showed he drove to a spot shielded from view in a deserted warehouse district and proved the first two stories he told internal affairs investigators was bogus.

Paez has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, rape and providing false information to authorities.

The trial is now starting its third week. Eight men and four women will decide his fate.

Paez denies the sex act took place and testified that he spent half an hour with the alleged victim in his patrol car grilling her for information about heroin dealers.

Defense attorney Gary Lozow painted a picture of Paez as an eager young officer and father of four, who was being framed by a cash-hungry victim worried she'd get in trouble for informing on her drug dealer.

The woman has filed a civil lawsuit and spoke in March with The Denver Post and CBS4 News about the alleged attack.

"She's busy doing press releases, T.V. appearances," Lozow said. "This is about money, to some extent. This is a savvy lady."

Chief Deputy District Attorney Doug Jackson pointed to parts of the woman's story that synced up with the GPS data and the emotional text messages she sent to her boyfriend immediately after the alleged attack.

Even if jurors aren't convinced the sex assault took place, Jackson said that Paez unlawfully seized the woman when he arrested her and did not take her to jail as policy dictates.

"He knew the limits of his authority and he knew what he was doing was unjustified," Jackson said. "He's finding a secluded spot. That shows his intention is not just to talk."

He added that certain inconsistencies — like not knowing Paez' name when she called police — suggest she wasn't carefully crafting a complaint with a payday in mind.

"Don't you think she would have made it up better?" Jackson asked.

Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 , jfender

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Arvada police seek accused child molester who failed to show for trial

Font ResizeThe Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/13/2012 04:35:02 PM MSTDecember 13, 2012 11:41 PM GMTUpdated: 12/13/2012 04:41:00 PM MST


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