Attorney: KDND's Wii Contest Not Entercom's Fault

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

An attorney for Entercom and KDND-FM/Sacramento told the jury Thursday that Jennifer Strange's death was not foreseeable during its bladder buster contest and that his clients should not be held liable. But defense attorney Donald W. Carlson told the seven-man, five-woman jury that if they do find either party at fault, that it should award Strange's survivors only $4.5 million in damages. Plaintiffs' attorneys have asked for damages of $34 million and $44 million.

In his closing argument in Sacramento Superior Court, Carlson blamed KDND station manager Steve Weed and promotions director Robin Pechota for allowing the contest to go forward, in violation of what he said were clear and reasonable guidelines laid down by the corporation's legal team in Boston.

But Carlson admitted that top officials at KDND made "serious, tragic mistakes," but that they shouldn't necessarily make Entercom Communications liable for Strange's death. "I know each and every one of you will do the right thing," Carlson told the jury at the conclusion of his closing argument.

Strange, 28, died of water intoxication in January, 2007, after finishing second in KDND-FM (107.9 The End)'s "Hold Your Wee For a Wii," the now infamous bladder buster stunt put together by the Morning Rave.