The Post and Courier, "Judge Refuses new trial in $31 million accident verdict"

          A judge refused to order a new trial after a jury awarded $31 million to the family of passenger injured in a Ford rollover accident.
          The accident happened in June 2001 when the driver of the vehicle, who was taking children to a sleep-over, grew distracted and veered off a paved road. When the driver tried to correct, the Ford Bronco rolled over.Jesse Branham III, then 12, was thrown from the vehicle and suffered extensive head injuries. Branham's father, Jesse Branham Jr., sued Ford Motor Co. for "knowingly manufacturing and selling a vehicle that was unreasonably prone to roll over," attorney Johnny Parker said.
           In October, a Hampton County jury returned a verdict saying Ford must pay $31 million in damages.Ford asked for a new trial but Judge Markley Dennis denied the motion this week, Ford attorney Elbert Dorn of Columbia said. He said the automaker expects to appeal.