Calif. Appeals Court Rebukes Judge for Allowing Affair Evidence in Tire Case

Reversing a jury verdict for the defendant tire manufacturer that it described as resulting from a "miscarriage of justice," a California appeals court rebuked the trial judge for allowing into evidence information about the plaintiff's alleged extracurricular activities.

"The now-retired superior court judge, David Workman, allowed Michelin to introduce evidence of extramarital affairs and out-of-wedlock children that its attorneys said hurt the credibility of plaintiff Winfred D., who was suing because of brain injury suffered when his tire blew out while delivering produce from Los Angeles to Las Vegas," reports the Associated Press.

The plaintiff's full name was not given in the appellate court's written opinion (PDF), which was filed yesterday.