NC tobacco company seeks end to Mass. lawsuit alleging it targeted black children

NC tobacco firm seeks end to Mass. liability suit

BOSTON — A Boston judge has delayed ruling on a tobacco company’s request for a judgment in its favor in a lawsuit that accuses it of targeting black children in cigarette marketing.

The 2004 lawsuit was filed by the son of Marie Evans, who died of lung cancer in 2002 at age 54. The Evans family’s lawyers argue Greensboro, N.C.-based Lorillard Tobacco Co. should be held responsible for marketing cigarettes to Evans from the time she was 9 years old.

Attorneys for Lorillard argued Monday the family hasn’t presented enough evidence to prove in a trial the company is responsible for Evans’ four-decade smoking addiction and the impact on her health.

Judge Linda Giles says she needs more time to review files submitted by both sides and previous court cases.