Miss. judge takes self off cases
Langston and Scruggs represented Troy Smith, of Poplarville, Miss., in a lawsuit against Lincoln Electric and several other companies. The case, which was assigned to DeLaughter in May 2004, is one of many that Scruggs and his associates have filed over exposure to fumes from welding rods.
On the same day that Langston pleaded guilty, Smith’s lawyers filed court papers seeking a judge’s approval to dismiss the suit. Circuit Judge W. Swan Yerger, who took over the case from DeLaughter, signed off on the case’s dismissal on Jan. 10.
DeLaughter has denied accepting any bribes and has defended a ruling that favored Scruggs in the asbestos case. DeLaughter isn’t charged with any wrongdoing.
Hattiesburg American
1/22/8
