College of Law

Paul Cassell wins ruling in landmark case against Boeing


Jan 20, 2023 | Faculty

Professor Paul Cassell, who is the Ronald N. Boyce Presidential Professor of Criminal Law, has won an important ruling in a case against The Boeing Corporation in which he is representing the families of those killed in the Boeing 737MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019.

According to a Washington Post article in which Cassell is quoted, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, who is hearing the case, ruled that Boeing must appear in court “for a formal arraignment on a charge that it conspired to defraud the United States over the safety of its 737 Max jets.”

“This is a real blow in favor of evenhanded justice,” said Cassell.

O’Connor also ruled “that representatives of those killed on Max planes in Indonesia in 2018 and Ethiopia in 2019 will be allowed to be heard during the Jan. 26 proceeding and that Boeing ‘has no right to waive its appearance.'”

Several news outlets covered the arraignment, in which both the victims’ families and Boeing appeared in court. Boeing pled not guilty to the charges of fraud.

News Coverage:

Boeing must publicly face fraud charge in 737 MAX deaths, judge says
The Washington Post

737 MAX crash victims’ families seek monitor for Boeing
The Wall Street Journal

Boeing pleads not guilty to fraud in criminal case over deadly 737 MAX crashes
NPR

737 MAX crashes: Boeing says not guilty to fraud charge
BBC News

In Forth Worth courtroom, Boeing to be arraigned, families to testify in case involving deadly crashes of 737 MAX jet
CBS News

Boeing pleads not guilty in case over deadly MAX crashes
AP News

Boeing, DOJ “sweetheart deal” decried by victim’s wife
Bloomberg

Boeing faces families still grieving from 737 MAX crashes in court
Bloomberg

Boeing, victims spar in Texas court over 737 MAX monitor
Law 360

Boeing back in court over 737 MAX crashes as federal settlement in jeopardy
The New York Post 


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