lawandcrime.com Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700:10::6816:145f  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

GET https://lawandcrime.com/

<form id="search" action="https://lawandcrime.com/" method="get" class="hide o-menu-search c-menu-search">
  <input title="search" type="text" value="" name="s" class="o-menu-search__field c-menu-search__field u-fade-hover-nolink">
  <label class="o-menu-search__label c-menu-search__label u-fade-hover">
    <input type="submit" class="o-menu-search__submit c-menu-search__submit">
    <svg class="o-icon" viewBox="0 0 100 100">
      <g>
        <path
          d="M61.55,71.3a39,39,0,0,1-32.47,5.63,37.88,37.88,0,0,1-22.49-16A39.22,39.22,0,0,1,62.33,7.5,38.44,38.44,0,0,1,74.86,23.14,38,38,0,0,1,78,42.72a38.6,38.6,0,0,1-6.86,18.76,10,10,0,0,1,5.14,3.13c2.66,2.69,5.38,5.38,8.07,8.07l13,13a8.25,8.25,0,0,1-9.62,13.26,8.8,8.8,0,0,1-.9-.6c-2.38-2-4.57-4.34-6.8-6.56L64.37,76.12A9.75,9.75,0,0,1,61.55,71.3ZM39.16,68.36a29.08,29.08,0,1,0-.28,0Z">
        </path>
      </g>
    </svg>
  </label>
</form>

GET https://lawandcrime.com/

<form id="search" action="https://lawandcrime.com/" method="get" class="hide o-menu-search c-menu-search">
  <input title="search" type="text" value="" name="s" class="o-menu-search__field c-menu-search__field u-fade-hover-nolink">
  <label class="o-menu-search__label c-menu-search__label u-fade-hover">
    <input type="submit" class="o-menu-search__submit c-menu-search__submit">
    <svg class="o-icon" viewBox="0 0 100 100">
      <g>
        <path
          d="M61.55,71.3a39,39,0,0,1-32.47,5.63,37.88,37.88,0,0,1-22.49-16A39.22,39.22,0,0,1,62.33,7.5,38.44,38.44,0,0,1,74.86,23.14,38,38,0,0,1,78,42.72a38.6,38.6,0,0,1-6.86,18.76,10,10,0,0,1,5.14,3.13c2.66,2.69,5.38,5.38,8.07,8.07l13,13a8.25,8.25,0,0,1-9.62,13.26,8.8,8.8,0,0,1-.9-.6c-2.38-2-4.57-4.34-6.8-6.56L64.37,76.12A9.75,9.75,0,0,1,61.55,71.3ZM39.16,68.36a29.08,29.08,0,1,0-.28,0Z">
        </path>
      </g>
    </svg>
  </label>
</form>

Text Content

Skip to main content
Watch Live On Demand
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

 * Home Page
 * Live
   * Watch Live: Law & Crime Network
   * WATCH LIVE: Man faces murder trial after bar brawl turns deadly
   * WATCH LIVE: Young Thug YSL racketeering trial
   * 9 Shocking Times Defendants Testified at Trial
   * 10 Most Memorable Law&Crime Network Trials
   * Watch Live: Brevard County Bond Court
   * View All Live Trials
 * Where to Watch
 * TV Schedule
 * Bodycam Videos
 * Shows
   * Justice Rules
   * Vanished
   * Trial File
   * Buried with Love
   * Prime Crime
   * Jail
   * Cops Reloaded
 * Law&Crime Productions
 * Hosts
 * Podcasts
 * Shop
 * Book Club
 * Subscribe

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

Law&Crime
Watch Live On Demand
 * Home Page
 * Live
   * Watch Live: Law & Crime Network
   * WATCH LIVE: Man faces murder trial after bar brawl turns deadly
   * WATCH LIVE: Young Thug YSL racketeering trial
   * 9 Shocking Times Defendants Testified at Trial
   * 10 Most Memorable Law&Crime Network Trials
   * Watch Live: Brevard County Bond Court
   * View All Live Trials
 * Where to Watch
 * TV Schedule
 * Bodycam Videos
 * Shows
   * Justice Rules
   * Vanished
   * Trial File
   * Buried with Love
   * Prime Crime
   * Jail
   * Cops Reloaded
 * Law&Crime Productions
 * Hosts
 * Podcasts
 * Shop
 * Book Club
 * Subscribe


 * JUDGE DENIES TRUMP’S MOTION TO DISMISS HIS CRIMINAL ELECTION SUBVERSION CASE


 * TRUMP LAWYER FAILS TO GET GEORGIA JUDGE TO HELP WITH ACCESS TO DISCOVERY IN
   DC CASE — BUT IT’S NOT OVER YET


 * PUBLIC REMORSE, GOVERNMENT COOPERATION EARN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL SWIMMER
   PROBATION FOR JAN. 6 CAPITOL ATTACK


 * ‘THE MIRACLE THAT WASN’T’: TEXAS AG KEN PAXTON SUES PFIZER FOR NOT ENDING
   COVID-19 PANDEMIC FAST ENOUGH


 * ‘THEY WERE ACTING VERY STUPIDLY’: JUDGE LAMBASTS MOTHER, SON SENTENCED FOR
   ROLES IN JAN. 6 RIOT AND HELPING STEAL PELOSI’S LAPTOP




WHIP-IT! SELLERS MUST PAY $745 MILLION FOR SELLING TO DRIVER WHO PASSED OUT AND
KILLED 25-YEAR-OLD VICTIM

Elura NanosSep 11th, 2023, 10:07 am Updated Sep 11th, 2023, 1:03 pm
25 comments
Share
Twitter share button


copy link

Left: Trenton Geiger (image via Missouri Dept. of Corrections); Right: A carton
of Whip-It! cream charger canisters is shown. (Image via court filings).

A St. Louis jury ordered the distributor and local seller of Whip-It! nitrous
oxide cartridges to pay a whopping $745 million for their “deliberate disregard”
of public safety by selling the food-prep product to a young driver who inhaled
the contents, got behind the wheel of a car and killed 25-year-old Marissa
Politte.



Politte, a radiology technician, was killed when 20-year-old Trenton Geiger
passed out while driving. After the accident, police discovered that Geiger had
been abusing Whip-It! nitrous oxide behind the wheel, then threw some of the
used containers into the woods where it was recovered by investigators. Whip-It!
nitrous oxide chargers (also known as “whippets”) are small steel canisters used
with whipped cream dispensers for food preparation. However, the evidence
presented at trial showed that Whip-It! chargers are often used as inhalants —
which can cause addiction and brain damage.

Politte’s parents brought a wrongful death lawsuit against United Brands
Products Design Development and Marketing, Inc., an international distributor of
Whip-It!, for allegedly exploiting the illicit market for nitrous oxide by
selling the product to retailers far outside the food business, such as tobacco
stores and head shops.

According to the complaint, inhaling nitrous oxide, “can result in euphoric,
dissociated, and out-of-body experiences,” as well as, “[cause] the user to get
very dizzy, light-headed, and giggly.”

The plaintiffs said the side effects of nitrous oxide abuse include nausea,
vomiting, dizziness, vitamin deficiency, hemorrhages, heart attacks, seizures,
comas, asphyxiation, neurological damage, and even death — and that Marissa
Politte was one of many victims who suffered as a direct result of Whip-It!
abuse.

The court filing said that Geiger had been addicted to the substance, and that
in addition to the canister found nearby, multiple pieces of related drug
paraphernalia were found in the driver’s vehicle after the collision.


Related Coverage:


 * ‘WOULD CREATE A RISK OF WIDESPREAD FRAUD WHERE NONE EXISTS’: JUDGE REFUSES TO
   LET KARI LAKE INSPECT 2022 ELECTION BALLOT AFFIDAVIT ENVELOPES


 * ‘I’VE BEEN RAPED, I CAN HELP YOU, I CAN PROTECT YOU’: LAWSUIT ALLEGES TRUMP
   ATTORNEY EMPATHIZED WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT VICTIM AND ‘PRESSURED’ HER INTO
   SIGNING AN ‘ILLEGAL NDA’


 * INDIANA AG’S ‘IRRELEVANT POSTURING’ COMES BACK TO BITE HIM AS JUDGE THROWS
   OUT LAWSUIT AGAINST TIKTOK FOR MULTIPLE FAILURES





The jury found United Brands Products Design Development and Marketing, Inc. and
Coughing Cardinal, LLC, a St. Louis head shop, conspired to sell the product to
Geiger.

At trial, attorneys for the plaintiffs introduced the testimony of a former
United Brands warehouse employee who estimated 75% of the company’s product went
to smoke shops and that marketing campaigns specifically targeted young people
at concerts and parties.

At the close of the case on Friday, the defendants each moved for a directed
verdict in their favor. The court denied both motions, thereby clearing the way
for the jury to assess the massive damages against the losing litigants.

Of the $745 million judgment, $20 million represented compensatory damages,
while $700 million was assessed in punitive damages against United Brands and
another $25 million in punitive damages against Coughing Cardinal.

Johnny M. Simon, attorney for the Politte family, reacted to the verdict in a
statement Sunday:

> We hope that her life is memorialized through this verdict, and no family will
> ever have to live with the pain that the Politte family has lived with and
> will live with forever.  We thank the jurors for their dedication and service
> and look forward to the day when nitrous oxide is off the shelves of smoke and
> head shops.

Geiger, now 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree involuntary manslaughter,
possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia,
and evidence tampering. He was sentenced to two years in prison for each count.

Close
Powered By

10



‘Bud Light’ Drinking, Foul-Mouthed Florida Man Threatens to Kill, Rape Cops and
Their Families


Share

Next
Stay





Attorneys for the defendants did not respond to requests for comment.

Join the discussion 25 comments

Editor’s Note: This piece was updated from its original format to include
additional legal analysis.

Have a tip we should know? tips@lawandcrime.com


FILED UNDER:

Missouriwrongful death


FOLLOW LAW&CRIME:

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

Treppenlift-Vergleich

Kein Scherz: So wenig kosten Treppenlifte 2023 wirklichTreppenlift-Vergleich|
SponsoredSponsored
Mehr erfahren


Undo
ADAC

Kfz-Versicherung prüfenDie Kfz-Versicherung ist ein großer Kostenfaktor beim
Auto. Wir verraten, wo Sie sparen können.ADAC|
SponsoredSponsored
Weiterlesen


Undo

Treppenlift-Vergleich

Kein Scherz: So wenig kosten Treppenlifte wirklich
(11/2023)Treppenlift-Vergleich|
SponsoredSponsored
Mehr erfahren


Undo
Mech Arena - Play For Free on PC

Die Installation lohnt sich allein für die Grafik.Echtzeit
5v5-MechschlachtenMech Arena - Play For Free on PC|
SponsoredSponsored
Download


Undo
Solaranlagen Magazin

Solar-Hammer im Winter: Wieso kluge Hausbesitzer jetzt zuschlagenSolaranlagen
Magazin|
SponsoredSponsored


Undo





Previous PostNext Post
Previous PostNext Post
Elura Nanos - Columnist & Trial Analyst, Law & Crime; CEO Lawyer Up
 * 
 * 
 * 

Elura is a columnist and trial analyst for Law & Crime. Elura is also a former
civil prosecutor for NYC's Administration for Children's Services, the CEO of
Lawyer Up, and the author of How To Talk To Your Lawyer and the
Legalese-to-English series. Follow Elura on Twitter @elurananos

More Stories by Elura Nanos

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.


TOP OF TODAY


 1. MOMS USING 'ELECTRICAL CABLE' TO WHIP SMALL KIDS FOR 'COLORING AND DRAWING'
    DISCOVERED AFTER 7-YEAR-OLD REFUSED TO TAKE JACKET OFF FOR GYM CLASS: COPS


 2. 'YOU DON'T EVEN TREAT ANIMALS LIKE THAT': DRIVER IN 'HOBO HUNTING' PELLET
    GUN SHOOTING THAT KILLED 68-YEAR-OLD HOMELESS GRANDMOTHER GETS A YEAR IN
    JAIL


 3. 'AND THEN IT GOT QUIET': BABYSITTER CHARGED WITH STABBING FAMILY MEMBERS,
    INCLUDING HALF-BROTHER, AND BEATING VICTIMS WITH A POT


 4. 'THE WORST CASE I'VE EVER SEEN': MOM AND BOYFRIEND ACCUSED OF BEATING
    3-YEAR-OLD TO DEATH IN CASE THAT LEFT POLICE SHOCKED


 5. JUSSIE SMOLLETT LOSES HIS APPEAL OF 'VIRTUALLY EVERY ASPECT' OF HATE CRIME
    HOAX PROSECUTION, INCLUDING COMPLAINT ABOUT GOOD MORNING AMERICA INTERVIEW



by Taboolaby Taboola
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Promoted LinksPromoted Links
You May Like
Treppenlift-Vergleich

Kein Scherz: So wenig kosten Treppenlifte 2023 wirklichTreppenlift-VergleichMehr
erfahren


Undo
ADAC

Kfz-Versicherung prüfenADACWeiterlesen


Undo

Tips

Have a tip or story idea? Email us. Or to keep it anonymous, click here.


You may also like:


 * ‘WOULD CREATE A RISK OF WIDESPREAD FRAUD WHERE NONE EXISTS’: JUDGE REFUSES TO
   LET KARI LAKE INSPECT 2022 ELECTION BALLOT AFFIDAVIT ENVELOPES
   
   Matt NahamDec 1st, 2023, 10:04 am


 * ‘I’VE BEEN RAPED, I CAN HELP YOU, I CAN PROTECT YOU’: LAWSUIT ALLEGES TRUMP
   ATTORNEY EMPATHIZED WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT VICTIM AND ‘PRESSURED’ HER INTO
   SIGNING AN ‘ILLEGAL NDA’
   
   Colin KalmbacherNov 30th, 2023, 8:24 pm


 * INDIANA AG’S ‘IRRELEVANT POSTURING’ COMES BACK TO BITE HIM AS JUDGE THROWS
   OUT LAWSUIT AGAINST TIKTOK FOR MULTIPLE FAILURES
   
   Matt NahamNov 30th, 2023, 10:03 am


 * SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT UNLAWFULLY RETALIATED AGAINST DAUGHTER’S SOFTBALL
   PITCHER RIVAL AFTER CLAIMING TEAMMATES CONSPIRED ‘TO NOT CLAP’ FOR MVP AWARD:
   LAWSUIT
   
   Matt NahamNov 29th, 2023, 3:29 pm


 * INFAMOUS ADMITTED QUADRUPLE MURDERER CAN’T SUE PSYCHIATRIST FOR ‘GROSSLY
   NEGLIGENT TREATMENT’ BECAUSE THAT WOULD AMOUNT TO PROFITING OFF OF CRIMES,
   HIGH COURT RULES
   
   Matt NahamNov 29th, 2023, 12:32 pm


 * WOMAN ALLEGEDLY PUT SHAMPOO IN HER DRY HAIR IN COVER STORY FOR STEPFATHER’S
   MURDER
   
   Alberto LuperonNov 28th, 2023, 7:12 pm


© 2023 LawNewz
About Us
Advertise
Newsletter
Privacy
Accessibility
User Agreement
Ethics & Diversity Policy
Contact
Dan Abrams, Founder

Skip to main content
Watch Live On Demand
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

 * Home Page
 * Live
   * Watch Live: Law & Crime Network
   * WATCH LIVE: Man faces murder trial after bar brawl turns deadly
   * WATCH LIVE: Young Thug YSL racketeering trial
   * 9 Shocking Times Defendants Testified at Trial
   * 10 Most Memorable Law&Crime Network Trials
   * Watch Live: Brevard County Bond Court
   * View All Live Trials
 * Where to Watch
 * TV Schedule
 * Bodycam Videos
 * Shows
   * Justice Rules
   * Vanished
   * Trial File
   * Buried with Love
   * Prime Crime
   * Jail
   * Cops Reloaded
 * Law&Crime Productions
 * Hosts
 * Podcasts
 * Shop
 * Book Club
 * Subscribe

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

Law&Crime
Watch Live On Demand
 * Home Page
 * Live
   * Watch Live: Law & Crime Network
   * WATCH LIVE: Man faces murder trial after bar brawl turns deadly
   * WATCH LIVE: Young Thug YSL racketeering trial
   * 9 Shocking Times Defendants Testified at Trial
   * 10 Most Memorable Law&Crime Network Trials
   * Watch Live: Brevard County Bond Court
   * View All Live Trials
 * Where to Watch
 * TV Schedule
 * Bodycam Videos
 * Shows
   * Justice Rules
   * Vanished
   * Trial File
   * Buried with Love
   * Prime Crime
   * Jail
   * Cops Reloaded
 * Law&Crime Productions
 * Hosts
 * Podcasts
 * Shop
 * Book Club
 * Subscribe

Keep on reading


Parents sentenced for killing adopted son after suing coroner for finding death
a homicideJohn Snyder and Katherine Snyder will each spend decades in an Ohio
prison for killing their 8-year-old adopted son, Adam Snyder, seven years
ago.Law and Crime
Group 3


Undo

Daughter who gouged mom's eyes out and put them on cardboard box sentenced to
prisonCamille Balla pleaded guilty to manslaughter after she killed her mom
Francisca Monteiro-Balla and gouged her eyes out. She was sentenced to 15 years
in prison.Law and Crime
Group 3


Undo

Missing teen's body allegedly found buried in barrel on property of family
friend and neighborPatrick Scott was arrested after authorities say they
discovered the body of Valerie Tindall, who's been missing since June, buried in
a barrel in his yard.Law and Crime
Group 3


Undo

Woman convicted of involuntary manslaughter after stabbing a man 108 times
because she was highBryn Spejcher admittedly stabbed Chad O'Melia 108 times in
his Thousand Oaks condo in the Conejo Valley, at around 1:00 a.m. on Memorial
Day 2018.Law and Crime
Group 3


Undo

' ' '
' ' '

Abrams Media

This whiskey club has people turning their heads thanks to its unique
approachThe Whiskey Raiders Bottle of the Month Club sends each of its
subscribers a highly rated bottle every month.Abrams Media


Undo

Treppenlift-Vergleich

Kein Scherz: So wenig kosten Treppenlifte 2023 wirklichTreppenlift-Vergleich|
SponsoredSponsored
Mehr erfahren


Undo
ADAC

Kfz-Versicherung prüfenDie Kfz-Versicherung ist ein großer Kostenfaktor beim
Auto. Wir verraten, wo Sie sparen können.ADAC|
SponsoredSponsored
Weiterlesen


Undo


Missing woman's body believed to be recovered 45 days after her husband killed
her: CopsThe body of Kelly McWhirter, who was missing for 45 days, is believed
to have been found some 30 miles from her Michigan home. Her husband allegedly
killed her.Law and Crime


Undo

Skeletal remains of homicide victim found off highway identified after nearly 40
yearsInvestigators in Massachusetts say a skeleton found off a highway nearly 40
years ago has been identified as Keith Olson and that he was a victim of
murder.Law and Crime


Undo

Mom filmed ripping 6-year-old from car by hair, hitting him with booster seat:
PolicePamela Gaensel was arrested in Florida after she was allegedly filmed
ripping her 6-year-old from the backseat by his hair and striking him with a
booster seat.Law and Crime


Undo


Lawsuit: Trump's top attorney pretended to be friends with victim to quash
harassment claimsAlice Bianco, who previously worked as a server at Bedminster,
claims that food and beverage manager Pavel Melichar sexually harassed her
throughout 2021.Law and Crime


Undo

Mother who kept boys in house of horrors pleads guilty to child neglect and
false imprisonmentKatie Koch, 34, pleaded guilty to two counts of chronic
neglect of a child resulting in emotional damage and one count of false
imprisonment.Law and Crime


Undo


Trump didn't tell court monitor about $40 million in transfers for taxes, E.
Jean Carroll feesDonald Trump apparently failed to disclose some $40 million in
transfers from a trust, as required by court order, according to a
court-appointed monitor.


Undo

'Ruining' his life: Man arrested just two hours after striking plea deal on
assault chargeTwo hours after a Florida man struck a plea deal with prosecutors
for firing a gun at Gatorz bar in 2021, he was arrested during a traffic stop on
drug charges.


Undo


'Most fun I've had in a while': Man allegedly crashed into own home in dispute
over selling itDouglas James Stonis crashed into a home in Charlotte County,
Florida, amid an dispute over whether to sell the residence.Law and Crime


Undo

Husband allegedly strangles wife over romantic relationship, puts body in
barrel, burns itFreddie Wright allegedly strangled his wife Janell Bowen, put
her body in a barrel and burned it in Nevada, authorities said.Law and Crime


Undo






Update Privacy Preferences