My Four Gals

In a case involving whistleblower claims arising from the alleged mistreatment of laboratory mice, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed judgment for the defendant.

The court did, however, suggest that defense counsel had improperly vouched for his witnesses.

His offending argument

I presented my, I call them my four gals. I’ve known them now for three years since this litigation has started so we’ve grown quite close. So I presented my witnesses. They’ve come before you. They’ve testified. You assess what their intent was. I told you when I opened we want you to find the truth. We’re not afraid of the truth. Find the truth. They told you what they did . . . We’ve shown you who they are. Not in snippets of little testimony from depositions. They came in person and they told you.

The court held that the issue was not properly preserved by objection. (Mike Frisch)