As lawyers swap testy motions, Alabama woman at center of first Vioxx trial remains calm
TALLADEGA, Ala. The Alabama woman at the center of the first trial over pain reliever Vioxx says she's no liar. Cheryl Rogers says she's furious that drug manufacturer Merck is questioning her truthfulness.
Rogers believes Vioxx played a role in the 2001 death of her 42-year-old husband, Brad.
Rogers' lawyers accuse the drug maker of conducting a smear campaign to poison the local jury pool. They have accused Merck of violating a court protective order along with federal laws mandating the confidentiality of medical records.
Merck's court filing says the Vioxx samples that Rogers provided didn't leave the company until six months after her husband died. Merck also released information about Brad Rogers' health issues.
Merck pulled Vioxx off the market last September after an adverse study.
There's a court hearing today. The trial is May 23rd.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|
