The defendant, owner of the Ambassador Bridge, brought a motion to strike the jury notice in a nuisance action commenced by property owners in Old Sandwich Town.
The plaintiffs claimed the defendant unlawfully allowed properties it purchased to deteriorate, reducing property values.
The defendant argued that widespread negative, defamatory, and accusatory pre-trial publicity in Windsor regarding its conduct and motives made it impossible to find an impartial jury.
The court agreed, finding a real danger that the cumulative effect of over a decade of negative commentary could predispose jurors against the defendant.
The motion was granted and the jury notice was struck.
