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Court continues Monday in the David Copperfield trial. The magician (born David S. Kotin) is being sued by former fan Gavin Cox, who blames him and other defendants for a slip-and-fall during a trick in November 2013. The plaintiff claims to have sustained brain damage as a result of the alleged accident. An attorney for the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas–where the incident allegedly happened–said in opening statements that Cox didn’t slip because of negligence by the defendants, but because he missed a step. Who will the jury believe?
Curious court watchers won’t be able to learn too much about Copperfield’s tricks. This trial is specifically about the “Lucky 13,” illusion, in which the magician chooses 13 audience members at random, makes them disappear, and then makes them reappear. Cox claimed his fall was caused by dirt and debris while participants were rushed through a backstage area. But his other tricks? Making the Statue of Liberty disappear and all that? A Nevada appeals court ruled that the public and media have to be kicked out of the courtroom if attorneys ask questions about his other tricks. Copperfield testified earlier in the trial, but is expected to take the stand again this week.
Copperfield and executive producer Chris Kenner said they did know about anyone getting hurt during the trick before Cox’s allegation. Nonetheless, a former personal assistant for the magician said a woman did fall in 2013, but this trick participant didn’t claim to have any injuries, and didn’t want to file any report.
[David Copperfield via 3 News Las Vegas]
