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8 ¦ JUNE 22, 2020 NEWS

¦ From COURT on PAGE 7 willful failure to pay income taxes. He was released
of employment based on her race, color and eth- on bond pending sentencing later this year. He faces
nicity.” a maximum of two years in prison, a fine and resti-
Palmieri was seeking compensatory and punitive tution to the IRS.
damages. Bolden said Hampton would not be en- On Tuesday, Rhonda Stearley Hebert, a spokes-
titled to punitive damages, but said, “Her claims for woman for the Judicial Branch, declined to comment
compensatory damages, which ordinarily would be on the judge’s ruling.
resolved by a jury, can be resolved by a jury.” Representing the Judicial Branch was Carletha
Texidor, an attorney with the Office of the Attorney
Palmieri said he hasn’t put a dollar figure on how General. Elizabeth Benton, a spokeswoman for the
much in compensatory damages he’d seek. office, declined to comment.
¦
“Let’s let the jury look at this, and with guidance
and understanding of the law, say what they think
the harm is,” he said.
The attorney is no stranger to opposing the gov- Robert Storace covers legal trends, lawsuits and
ernment. analysis for the Connecticut Law Tribune. Follow

Palmieri, whose practice specializes in civil rights him on Twitter @RobertSCTLaw or reach him at
law, pleaded guilty in December to two counts of 203-437-5950.

Focus Groups Tapped To Assess
How Pandemic May Affect Juries

By Robert Storace
With Connecticut courts not expected to
resume jury selection and jury trials until
later this year or sometime in 2021, some
law firms are using the time to get an edge on how
jurors will view a variety of issues post-pandemic.
The firms are turning to new focus groups to gauge
the opinions of potential jurors on issues that might
emerge after the global crisis, touching on attitudes
toward medical professionals and health insurance.
It’s important data that could help firms develop
strategies for presenting evidence, guide their use
of documents and exhibits, and shape their opening This is where Watertown’s D’Amico & Pettinicchi hosts
and closing arguments.
individuals taking part in focus groups.

said senior partner Mike D’Amico. “And because of
Good for plaintiffs? the pandemic, people might look at risk differently.
Lawyers at D’Amico & Pettinicchi in Watertown, I think people are learning more about the value of
for instance, plan on conducting 15 to 20 such focus life, since they are spending more time with their
groups between June and the end of 2021, via Zoom. families.”
“We will look at how jury attitudes, because of The attorney suggests their attitudes might favor
the pandemic, might have changed toward doctors,” plaintiffs in personal injury cases.

CONNECTICUT
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