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Maria Shriver Is Seated as a Juror in Product Liability Trial

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From a Times Staff Writer

California first lady Maria Shriver was seated as a juror in a product liability trial that got underway Tuesday in Los Angeles federal court.

Shriver was one of seven jurors selected to decide the case against the Keller Corp., a Florida company that manufactured extension ladders. The plaintiff, Leon B. Hudson, 57, of Riverside, says he suffered permanent arm and back injuries when a ladder he was descending collapsed as a result of a defective locking device.

Before being seated, Shriver was asked if her views about the lawsuit might be colored by her governor-husband’s call for tort reform in California. She also was asked if there was anything in her past work as a correspondent on NBC-TV’s “Dateline” that might compromise her impartiality. Shriver replied that she believed in the civil jury system and had an open mind about the case.

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The trial was expected to last about four days.

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