Redstone competence trial ends as judge tosses lawsuit

Record ID: 901000

  • Title: Redstone competence trial ends as judge tosses lawsuit
  • Date: 9th May 2016
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE - MARCH 30, 2012) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF SUMNER REDSTONE AT HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME STAR CEREMONY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE - DECEMBER 11, 2012) (REUTERS) REDSTONE WALKING RED CARPET AT PREMIERE
  • Embargoed: 23rd May 2016 18:09
  • Keywords: Sumner Redstone Manuela Herzer Dismissal Court Shari Redstone
  • Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • City: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA0024H37Y9Z
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A trial over Sumner Redstone's mental competence abruptly ended on Monday (May 6) when a California judge threw out a lawsuit brought by the 92-year-old's former girlfriend, Manuela Herzer, saying Redstone's deposition made clear the media mogul knew what he wanted.
    The decision appears to bring to an end a protracted and at times embarrassing legal drama, while keeping the billionaire in charge of his controlling stake in media companies Viacom Inc. and CBS Corp. However, Herzer's lawyer said she would appeal.
    "[We are] disappointed with the court's ruling. My client came here to protect Sumner Redstone and we think we established overwhelmingly that he has serious mental defects and perhaps more so that he's been the victim of serious undue influence, a campaign initiated by Shari Redstone. We'll be appealing but I'm announcing now that minutes ago my client Manuela Herzer filed a 100 million dollar plus lawsuit against Shari Redstone and the seven nurses who we have proven and will prove manipulated, abused, lied to and unduly influenced Mr. Redstone," said Pierce O'Donnell, Herzer's lawyer.
    Herzer contended that Redstone was not mentally competent when he removed her as his designated healthcare agent last October. A trial to decide the matter started on Friday and had been set to run through May 16.
    Judge David Cowan wrote in his ruling that Herzer's claims that Redstone could not understand or communicate were disproved by testimony from Redstone himself, in a deposition that was presented to the court on Friday.
    The judge said Redstone appeared to be in pain and struggled to speak clearly in his deposition, but ultimately he showed no confusion about what he was asked, and what he wanted.
    After the ruling was handed out in court, Shari Redstone hugged her lawyer. Sumner Redstone was not present in court.
    Herzer argued in her lawsuit that Shari Redstone and the nurses attending the senior Redstone had conspired against her.
    The trial was being closely watched by shareholders of Viacom and CBS. Redstone earlier this year stepped down as executive chairman of both companies, assuaging some investor questions about his influence.
    But some concerns have remained about his control of roughly 80 percent of the voting shares in both companies, held through his National Amusements movie theater company.
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