Poultry Trial Finally Underway
By:
Updated: April 17, 2007
Alpharma and Alpharma Animal Health Incorporated are two companies that are being sued by the Green family.
Michael and Mary Green from Prairie Grove, claim chicken litter caused their son, Blu, to get leukemia.
According to the Greens; roxarsone, the compound added to chicken feed to improve weight gain, and distributed by Alpharma is to blame for Blu`s illness. They claim the high arsenic levels in the chicken litter spread on farming land in Prairie Grove led to their sons illness.
The Fourth District Courtroom was filled with potential jurors Tuesday morning. By noon, presiding Judge Kim Smith had dismissed more than a dozen.
The Green family along with Alpharma watched as Judge Smith dismissed potential jurors for various reasons, like schooling, financial burdens and work conflicts.
This is just the first trial of eight lawsuits claiming the chicken litter spread in Prairie Grove has caused health problems. The first lawsuit was filed back in December 2003.
Opening arguments are set for Wednesday morning.
