Opinion ID: 756409
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Baxter's Motion for a New Trial

Text: Finally, we turn to Baxter's argument that it is entitled to a new trial on all issues due to the delay between the close of evidence and the trial judge's submission of the case to the jury. We review the district court's decision not to grant a new trial for abuse of discretion. See Nobelpharma, 141 F.3d at 1066-67, 46 USPQ2d at 1103. We may reverse this aspect of the district court's decision only if we find that the district court prejudiced Baxter's substantive rights by abusing its discretion in allowing the delay between the close of evidence and submission of the case to the jury. While the district court recognized that there was a danger that the delay might cause the jury to forget portions of the previously presented evidence, the district court counteracted this danger by allowing greatly increased time for the parties to make their closing arguments. We believe that on the facts of this case the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in allowing a several week delay between the close of evidence and submission of the case to the jury for deliberations. Moreover, it is clear that the jury carefully considered the evidence in the case in making its decision. Jury deliberations lasted one week with the jury finding for Baxter on some issues and for McGaw on others. We can detect no abuse of discretion by the district court that has prejudiced Baxter's substantive rights. Finally, we have considered Baxter's arguments that portions of opposing counsel's opening and closing statements were prejudicial and inflammatory and find them to be without merit.