The Nevada Supreme Court has ordered a new trial on punitive damages awarded to a Las Vegas gambler against the Imperial Palace, citing attorney misconduct.
In an opinion issued last Thursday, the high court said James Grosjean’s trial lawyer, Robert Nersesian, improperly asked jurors to “send a message” to the casino and to put themselves in his client’s position.
Grosjean, an expert gambler, was awarded $99,000 in compensatory damages and $150,000 in punitive damages after he was handcuffed, searched and detained by security guards in 2000 at the request of state Gaming Control Board agents.
Court records say about halfway through the 45-minute incident, another Control Board agent said Grosjean should be released, but he was not immediately let go.
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