Big Bad Wolf Not Liable for Pigs' Losses

A mock jury, comprised of third grade students in the Southern District of California, found the Big Bad Wolf was not liable for damages caused when he sneezed, causing two houses, owned by plaintiffs Curly and Wurly Pig, to fall apart.  Wolf argued that his allergies were the problem and he did not intend to injure the pigs in any manner.  The Pigs' assertions that he intentionally huffed and puffed and blew their homes down did not persuade the jurors.  United States District Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel presided over the mock trial.  Assistant United States Attorney Dan Butcher and Federal Defender Deke Falls also participated in the mock trial.  The 8- and 9-year-old students played all the roles and deliberated the facts diligently before reaching their verdict.  After the trial, the students had the opportunity to step into a holding cell, try on a bullet proof vest and watch a demonstration by the U.S. Marshals Service's explosive-detecting canine.