TULSA, OKLA. — A federal judge can decide all aspects of the state of Oklahoma’s lawsuit against 12 poultry companies, attorneys for the state of Oklahoma have agreed. The Associated Press relays a jury trial was to start Monday in the lawsuit accusing the companies of polluting the Illinois River watershed.
The attorneys decided to allow U.S. District Judge Greg Frizzell hear the entire case, said a spokesman for Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson. Judge Frizzell ruled earlier that only a portion of the lawsuit would be heard by a jury.
Lawyers for the poultry companies agreed to the request that Judge Frizzell decide the case. Judge Frizzell also delayed the start of the trial until next Thursday.
Companies named in the lawsuit include Tyson Foods Inc., Tyson Poultry Inc., Tyson Chicken Inc., Cobb-Vantress Inc., Cal-Maine Foods Inc., Cargill Inc., Cargill Turkey Production L.L.C., George's Inc., George's Farms Inc., Peterson Farms Inc., Simmons Foods Inc. and Cal-Maine Farms Inc.