By AP/KWMU
Kansas City, MO – A jury in Kansas City was expected to start deliberating Wednesday morning in a case brought by the Carnahan family.
The suit says the company Parker Hannifan misled the public about the safety of its vacuum pumps, which resulted in the plane crash in October 2000 that killed the late Governor Mel Carnahan, his son Randy, and long-time aide Chris Sifford.
In closing arguments Tuesday, the family's attorney said the Ohio company knew its pumps had caused 20 fatal crashes in 20 years. The company, though, claims it tried to get the government to require back-up systems without success.
Company attorney Mitchel Kallet said Parker Hannifan sent out warning-letters suggesting that pilots have a back-up system.
The jury in Jackson County Circuit Court heard two months of testimony from more than four dozen witnesses, including Governor Bob Holden.