Paint companies not liable again, as R.I. trial ends in hung jury. (Litigation).

The landmark case Rhode Island was leading against former manufacturers of lead paint ended in a hung jury Oct. 29, but Chicago, which is pressing a similar case, plans to continue its lawsuit.

R.I. Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein declared a mistrial when a jury could not reach a unanimous decision after four days of deliberation. The jury deadlocked 4-2 in favor of the defendants.

The state wanted the jury to agree that lead in paint is a public nuisance since it has poisoned 35,000 children since 1993. The paint companies, however, argued ...