Though PG&E previously admitted liability for the explosion and stated that it was "committed" to fully compensating its victims, PG&E has asked the court to throw certain of plaintiffs’ claims out of court. In particular, PG&E has asked the court to throw out all the plaintiffs’ claim for punitive damages, and to throw out certain plaintiffs’ claims for emotional distress. The court will hear will hear PG&E’s arguments on September 4.
Trial will now begin October 9. On that date, the judge will decide what evidence should be excluded from trial. Jury selection will begin on the next day, October 10, and is likely to take a least a week. Opening statements will begin as soon as a jury has been selected.