Volkswagen Trying To Halt Trials In US Citing “Inflammatory” Comments Comparing Monkey Testing & Gas Chambers

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In an attempt to halt the continuance of a number of different trials in the US relating to illegally high vehicle emissions levels, Volkswagen has cited “inflammatory” comments made recently by a lawyer representing vehicle owners — which will reportedly “prejudice” the jury — in a legal filing with a judge.

Well, no kidding. Of course finding out that the company you’re supposed to be judging the actions of performed unnecessary and dangerous experiments on humans and monkeys as part of a PR campaign will prejudice them.

I suppose that’s how you know when a German is down to their last straws — when they start trying to pretend that prejudice extending from Hitler and World War 2 is the only reason that anyone would have any problem with their (unethical) behavior.

To be more specific here, the US division of Volkswagen has requested that a US judge in Fairfax County (Virginia), and others, delay numerous court trials because of comments made by one lawyer, representing just one group of affected vehicle owners, in a recent Netflix documentary about the diesel vehicle testing cheating emissions scandal.

That lawyer, Michael Melkersen, stated in the interview: “One cannot help to think back throughout history of another series of events involving individuals being gassed by a person who was actually at the opening of the very first Volkswagen factory” — seemingly (but not explicitly) a reference to Adolf Hitler.

He also stated: “There is a concern, obviously, amongst Volkswagen that if a jury were to ever hear about any of this stuff that could really impact the verdict in this case.”

Volkswagen is arguing that as news media has now connected Melkersen’s comments with Hitler and gas chambers that a fair trial wouldn’t be possible. The lawyers argued that “pretrial publicity has connected (the company) directly with Hitler and the Holocaust.”

Melkersen has been quoted as calling the motion by Volkswagen “hogwash” — stating that it’s nothing but a delay tactic.

Reuters provides more: “Although nearly all US owners agreed to take part in a 2016 settlement, the German carmaker is being sued by some consumers after it admitted in September 2015 to cheating on diesel emissions tests, sparking the biggest business crisis in its history.”

“The first consumer fraud trial involves a North Carolina man who bought a 2014 diesel Jetta, and is set for February 26.”

With regard to the unnecessary and PR-motivated experimentation on humans and animals, you can read our full coverage here. I’ll just go ahead and note here, though, that essentially the only real response that Volkswagen has made with regard to the scandal has been to suspend its chief lobbyist.


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James Ayre

James Ayre's background is predominantly in geopolitics and history, but he has an obsessive interest in pretty much everything. After an early life spent in the Imperial Free City of Dortmund, James followed the river Ruhr to Cofbuokheim, where he attended the University of Astnide. And where he also briefly considered entering the coal mining business. He currently writes for a living, on a broad variety of subjects, ranging from science, to politics, to military history, to renewable energy.

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