Blankenship Lawyers Want His Finances Kept Out of Trial

Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship’s lawyers say his compensation and stock holdings, along with other evidence, should be excluded from his trial. Lawyer’s argue that evidence of his finances is irrelevant and would lead to unfair prejudice. Federal prosecutors also are seeking to exclude evidence, including what they say are Blankenship’s claims that company mines were safe despite routine violations of federal safety standards. The trial is set to start October 1.