Opinion ID: 8591
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Error One

Text: 8 Justiss argues the district court erred by applying Occam's razor as controlling legal principle in deciding which evidence of the events leading to the explosion and flash fire in Tank 29 to credit. More precisely, Justiss argues that the district court, in relying on this premise, applied an incorrect legal standard in making its factual findings. 9 Justiss contends that we should discard the district court's factual findings and conduct de novo review of the trial record in accordance with applicable law to ascertain the true cause of these deaths. In his oral findings, Judge Walter stated: 9 The testimony has suggested numerous theories as to how the tank exploded. Clearly Tank 29 was not gas free at the time of the explosion. The explanations of why the tank was not gas free range from the very simple to indeed the hyper-complex. I have used Occam's razor which is as valid juridically as it is scientifically. Basically Holcomb's [sic] razor is that the simplest of competing theories should be preferred over more complex or subtle ones. 10 28 R. at 71-72. 10 Though Justiss interprets this statement to indicate that Judge Walter's fact-finding was confined by Occam's razor, this interpretation is misguided. Judge Walter's oral reasons make clear that his findings were not merely an exercise of this 14th Century maxim, but were based upon his evaluation and weighing of all evidence presented. In finding that Justiss' crew was the source of the fuel, he stated: 11 This finding is obviously dependent on which McElvey [sic] story I believe. That told to the E.M.S. workers or that expressed to OSHA representatives and indeed in this court. 12 The E.M.S. workers had no reason to lie. The story makes sense. And frankly accepting the rescue workers['] [sic] or E.M.S. workers['] [sic] version of what McElvey's [sic] admission was explains all.... 13 ... Under any of [Justiss' several scenarios suggesting how Kerr-McGee's conduct caused the fire], hydrocarbons could have reached dangerous levels but [Kerr-McGee's] version is more persuasive. 14 28 R. at 73. While the reference to Occam's razor may be unfortunate for its potential to create post-judgment controversy, Judge Walter's reference to the maxim is not inappropriate, because in fact he did not abdicate his duty as fact-finder. Judge Walter evaluated the evidence before him, weighed it according to his determinations of credibility and trustworthiness, and drew reasonable inferences and conclusions supported by his findings. Thus, insofar as Justiss attacks the district court's findings as made by the application of an allegedly improper legal standard, we reject this contention and affirm Judge Walter's actions.