Jury hears opening arguments in nation's first Vioxx trial

By Ramsay Crooks

Published on July 22, 2005

Plaintiff's attorney, Mark Lanier, openly questioned the ethics of Merck & Co., the manufacturer of Vioxx. He argued that the pharmaceutical company endangered the safety of customers in its relentless pursuit of profits.

David Kiernan, a lawyer for the defense, contended that Lanier's accusations were totally false and reiterated that Merck's commitment to developing medicines to help people had not changed since the company's founding in 1891.

At the end of the day, State District Judge Ben Hardin told jurors that opening statements were not considered evidence when deliberating a verdict. The Vioxx trial is expected to take about five weeks to complete.

The jurors have Friday off, while lawyers on both sides are expected to make final preparations for testimony, which begins Monday.

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