The Oregon Department of Human Services failed to act when alerted that a 2-year-old was treated for narcotics poisoning, but wasn’t financially responsible when the mother’s boyfriend, Samuel Rich, later beat the toddler, leaving him a quadriplegic, a jury ruled Tuesday.
But attorney Scott Kocher, representing the child’s interests, says the verdict violated Oregon law requiring three-fourths of jurors to agree in a civil matter. He wants the verdict thrown out and a new trial set.
“We were pleased that eight out of the 12 jurors were persuaded by the case, and we look forward to a new trial,” Kocher said Thursday…