A deli owner who lost a suit against Paul Newman and his food companies says the court battle was a mismatch because of the actor's status as a movie idol and philanthropist.
But members of the jury said they spent their time gazing on the evidence, not at the star, and Newman called Westport deli owner Julius Gold's remarks "sour grapes."Juror Gail McCulley said all but one of the six jurors began deliberations convinced that Gold's claims were without merit. McCulley and juror Beverly Willis agreed that Newman's celebrity status didn't influence them.
The Superior Court jury deliberated five hours over two days before deciding Thursday afternoon that Newman never promised Gold eight percent stock in his businesses, Newman's Own Inc. and Salad King Inc.
All profits - $28 million to date - have gone to charity.
The Academy Award-winning actor was cheered as he left the courthouse and quickly surrounded by a crowd of about 200 reporters and spectators. "All right, Cool Hand Luke," yelled one well-wisher.
Gold, the owner of a Westport deli, claimed he was owed the stock for helping Newman start the businesses in 1982 and 1983.
"I'm disappointed," Gold said. "I brought the case because I thought I was wronged. I realized I was dealing with an uphill battle, going against a celebrity of world status."
Newman said he felt sorry for Gold, but he said the suggestion he was helped by his fame was "sour grapes and a lot of whining."
"It's just tragic all of this energy and time could not have been spent in more charitable pursuits, but that's the nature of the beast."