For 890 days while the government prosecuted retired Blue Bell executive Paul Kruse, that European river cruise or summer in Tuscany wasn’t an option. This week, his U.S. Passport was returned to Kruse, marking the culmination of his plea agreement ending the government’s case against him.
It is also the
Continue Reading Plea agreement brings closure to Blue Bell’s last case involving the 2015 listeriosis outbreak
AUSTIN — When the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) first learned South Carolina found Listeria in two Blue Bell ice cream products, it suggested the company prepare a recall notice.
But in testimony on the fourth day of the jury trial for former Blue Bell president Paul
Continue Reading Texas DSHS first wanted Blue Bell to recall ice cream related to infections
AUSTIN — The timeline played the starring role during the opening arguments at the jury trial of the United States v Paul Kruse.
Department of Justice attorney Matthew Lash for the prosecution and Houston defense attorney Chris Flood opened the trial. Taken together, they suggested that a food company, during
Continue Reading Jury trial begins in fraud and conspiracy trial involving Blue Bell, an iconic Texas brand
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. Pre-trial motions are scheduled for July 22 in the Texas Western District court in Austin.
Continue Reading When is sanitary history too ripe for the jury?
The defense attorneys for retired Blue Blell president Paul Kruse want more struck from the criminal indictment going to an August 1 jury trial in Austin, TX.
Chris Flood of Houston and John Cline of Seattle this time, want the indictment dismissed “to the extent it relies on Kruse’s alleged
Continue Reading Defense wants a thin-downed indictment before trial of retired Blue Bell president
“Surplusage is language contained in a pleading that is unnecessary or irrelevant. For example, in an indictment, surplusage is the allegation of any fact or circumstances that is not a necessary element to the offense.”
-Legal Dictionary
Chris Flood and John Cline, defense attorneys for retired Blue Bell President Paul
Continue Reading Kruse’s defense attorneys want ‘sanitation issues’ excluded from his Blue Bell trial
The judge who will preside over the criminal trial next year of former Blue Bell Ice Cream President Paul Kruse is giving the defense team more time to sort out the expert witnesses they may need.
Federal Judge Robert Pitman extended the deadline for the defense to share their expert
Continue Reading More time granted for identifying and vetting expert witnesses for Blue Bell trial
A “quiet period” in the criminal charges against the 67-year old retired Blue Bell ice cream president may be ending.
Going on for four months, neither the government nor defense attorneys have brought anything to the Texas Western District Court’s attention.
The last item in the case file was an
Continue Reading Countdown to jury selection and trial for retired Blue Bell president
Jury selection in Austin, TX, for the criminal trial of the former chief executive of Blue Bell Creameries, is not likely to begin until 2022.
The government does not oppose a pending defense motion to delay the trial of sixty-six-year-old Paul Kruse until March 21, 2022. The new start date
Continue Reading Blue Bell criminal trial not likely to begin until March 21, 2022
The trial date in the United States of America v. Paul Kruse has, for a second time, been postponed. Now it is set for Nov. 8. Pre-trial work in the criminal case is getting interesting.
The 66-year old Kruse, Blue Bell’s retired CEO, is charged with six counts of conspiracy
Continue Reading Kruse wants court to subpoena Blue Bell; seeks to postpone trial until Nov. 8
