In a plea deal, government attorneys agreed to drop felony fraud charges against the retired former chief executive of Blue Bell Creameries LP over a 2015 listeria outbreak that led to three deaths. In exchange
Continue Reading Plea deal frees retired Blue Bell president from jail time or another jury trial
The Final Docket Call for the second criminal trial of Paul Kruse, the retired Blue Bell Creameries president, is set for March 31 in Austin’s Western District Court.
Federal Judge Robert Pitman signed an order
Continue Reading Austin judge issues Final Docket Call for second criminal trial of retired Blue Bell exec
Government prosecutors wrapped conspiracy and fraud around the head of the former president of Blue Bell ice cream, but a hung jury did not buy it. That Texas jury was 10-to-2 in favor of acquittal.
Continue Reading Scientists blame listeria’s low priority for regulatory support as the likely true cause for a low-burn listeria outbreak
Federal Judge Robert Pitman, who presided over the 15-day mistrial of Blue Bell’s former president, has ruled in another case involving the Brenham, TX-based creamery.
From his Western District of Texas federal court bench, Pitman
Continue Reading Blue Bell’s insurance carriers do not have to pay for the 2015 Listeria outbreak damages
— COMMENTARY —
The jury is hung. The judge declared a mistrial. The prosecution can try again, but it isn’t required.
We could leave it there. As one famous Texan said, it might be the
Continue Reading Is Kruse the ‘Bright Line’ case for the food safety community or not?
The United States v Paul Kruse trial in Austin, TX, has adjourned for the weekend. It will continue at 8:30 a.m. Monday, when presumably the jury will resume deliberations.
The jury consists of 12 men
Continue Reading In Austin, Texas, the trial of the retired Blue Bell president adjourns for the weekend
AUSTIN–At the request of the Department of Justice team trying the case, the trial judge dismissed one of the seven counts of the indictment against a former president of Blue Bell ice cream.
Federal Judge
Continue Reading DOJ drops one charge against retired Blue Bell president as trial begins
With three weeks until jury selection, the first sealed document with several exhibits was docketed in the United States v. Paul Krause. Its contents remain a mystery.
And ahead of the July 22 pre-trial meeting
Continue Reading Pre-trial arguments underway for Aug. 1 trial of retired Blue Bell president
Does a company’s sanitary record figure into its possible criminal conduct when involved in an outbreak of foodborne illness?
That question is being disputed during the pre-trial stage of the United States v. Paul Kruse.
Continue Reading When is sanitary history too ripe for the jury?
Pau Kruse, the retired 67-year-old former president of Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham, TX, is ordered to appear in federal court in Austin on July 22.
Federal Judge Robert Pitman has set the Final Docket
Continue Reading Final docket hearing called for July 22, just ahead of jury trial of former Blue Bell president