[Watch the live feed in the player above this article when court begins at 10:00am PT/1:00pm ET.]
Testimony continues in the civil trial against David Copperfield (born David S. Kotin) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The magician took the stand on Tuesday, and is scheduled to return next week. Other witnesses will be called on Wednesday. Court is expected to resume at 10:00 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET.
The lawsuit was brought by former fan Gavin Cox, who claims he suffered brain damage as a result of an alleged slip and fall during Copperfield’s “Lucky 13” trick in 2013. In addition to Copperfield, Cox is suing the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino and even the construction crew that worked the area in which Cox allegedly fell.
Magicians aren’t the type to share secrets, so the trial against one of American’s most popular performers attracted a bit of attention. The defense doesn’t have to worry about at least some of his illusions getting exposed. A Nevada appeals court on Tuesday ruled that the lower court had to kick out the public and media outlets whenever attorneys questioned Copperfield about his other tricks. When he returns to the stands next week, court watchers won’t get to learn how to make the Statue of Liberty disappear. Sorry.
#DavidCopperfield – Morelli: Is it your responsibility to make sure the route the participants are taking is safe, yes or no?
Copperfield: Yes. pic.twitter.com/DVEePCa3f6— Law & Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) April 24, 2018
Copperfield testified on Tuesday that before Cox, he hadn’t heard of anyone getting hurt during the trick. Citing media attention on the case, his attorney Elaine Fresch tried to get a mistrial declared. She didn’t succeed.
[Screengrab via Law&Crime Network]
