Staff Reports
CIRCLEVILLE – A jury of three women and five men in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court found in favor of a local business in a two-day civil trial held before Judge P. Randall Knece.
Texas Willison Jr., 50, of Walnut Street, Circleville, lost part of his right index finger while repairing an air conditioning unit June 17, 2013, at Durgin’s Ice Cream & Pizza in Tarlton owned by Bernard Ross.
Willison filed suit against the business claiming employees of Durgin’s caused the injury by negligently turning on the unit against his instructions while he was working on the repairs. Willison testified on his own behalf, along with his wife, Linda Willison, and Dr. Michael Lefkowitz, who treated him for the injury.
The defense presented only one witness, Neddean Ross, the wife of the owner who was present at the time as manager of Durgin’s. Mrs. Ross testified that she turned the thermostat on only after Willison came into the business and instructed her to do so.
The jury deliberated 50 minutes before returning a verdict in favor of Durgin’s Ice Cream and Pizza.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
