A Civil Action (1998)

John Lithgow: Judge Walter J. Skinner

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Quotes 

• Judge Walter J. Skinner : [beginning the preliminary proceedings]  Now the matter before us seems to be a simple one.

  Jan Schlichtmann : Your honor I'm sorry but I don't think it's a simple.

  Judge Walter J. Skinner : May I hear it?

  Jan Schlichtmann : No, because the true intention is to place me under a cloud of impropriety in your court room right from the beginning, what they're saying with this motion is that they know the law and I don't that their real lawyers and I'm not they're just trying to humiliate me.

  Judge Walter J. Skinner : You are a personal injury lawyer are you not? I think you'll survive that.

  Jan Schlichtmann : You see? Its starting already.

  Judge Walter J. Skinner : No you've started already.

  Jan Schlichtmann : No I'm on the defensive and their the defendants.

  Judge Walter J. Skinner : Do you think I can at least hear this motion before you tell me what it's really about?

  Jan Schlichtmann : Of course.

• Jan Schlichtmann : [siting in Skinner's chambers with William, Jerome present]  This is the defendant's plan!

  Judge Walter J. Skinner : No, it's my plan!

  Jan Schlichtmann : It's Facher's plan, right from the beginning!

  Judge Walter J. Skinner : It's my plan.

  Jan Schlichtmann : [pointing at Jerome]  He told me, he threatned me.

  Judge Walter J. Skinner : IT'S MY PLAN!

• Judge Walter J. Skinner : [Reading the verdict for the first stage of the trial]  with respect to W.R. Grace the jury has Answered "yes" to question one regarding Trichloroethylene contamination requiring we continue the proceedings against Grace to a second stage of this trial in regard to Beatrice the jury has answered "no" to question one and all its points pertaining to contamination which renders questions two and three inapplicable thus, ending the case against Beatrice

• Jerome Facher : [meeting inside the judge's chambers]  Last night I was at the ball game, it was the seventh inning stretch, I was standing there I don't know why but it occurred to me unless you've proven any chemicals actually reached the wells there's no case: therefore there's no need for the families who've suffered so much to relive the suffering by putting them on the stand.

  Judge Walter J. Skinner : That's interesting I think I'd have to agree with that, if the jury decides favorably on the geological evidence then you can bring your families.

  Jan Schlichtmann : [protesting against Facher's suggestion]  The jury came into this courtroom expecting a human drama but instead for three months we've been giving them lessons in geology but we had to do that and it's over, finally: they want to testify, they need to testify.

• Judge Walter J. Skinner : [in his chambers, to Jan, Jerry and Bill]  My plan is to present the jury with some simple questions: 1. have the plaintiffs established by a preponderance of evidence chemicals containing TCE were disposed on the W.R. Grace and Beatrice's own lands after October 1st, 1964 and August 27, 1968 respectively and did those chemicals contribute to the well water contamination? 2. What according to the preponderance of evidence was the earliest time, the month and year at which these chemicals substantially contributed to the contamination of the wells? 3. What according to the preponderance of evidence was the earliest time, the month and year at which substantial contribution referred to in question two was caused if it was by the negligent conduct of the defendants?