CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A multimillion-dollar coal contract dispute that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court has again resulted in a ruling in favor of Massey Energy Co.
For the third time in nearly two years, West Virginia's Supreme Court has overturned a $50 million jury verdict against the coal producer.
The 4-1 ruling was again written by Justice Robin Davis and again concludes that Harman Mining and its president should have pursued their claims in Virginia.
The state high court gave the case a second look last year after photos surfaced showing one of its justices vacationing with Massey Chief Executive Don Blankenship.
The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the latest review, citing the millions that Blankenship spent to help get another of the justices elected.
