|
The
granddaughter, Keryn Redstone, argued in court papers that
Sumner Redstone had become a "prisoner in his own home" after
the former girlfriend, Manuela Herzer, was ejected from his
mansion in October. Herzer, 51, had sued to be reinstated as his
designated healthcare agent. Keryn Redstone had asked to be
added to the case as a co-petitioner.
In ruling on the 34-year-old granddaughter's request, Los
Angeles Superior Court Judge David Cowan said, “The court
doesn’t believe ... her being a party truly adds anything to
this case."
Cowan said that Keryn Redstone can testify as a witness in the
trial if Herzer calls her.
Redstone controls a majority of the voting stock at Viacom Inc
and CBS Corp. Shareholders have closely followed the case for
what it could reveal about his mental condition.
Also on Wednesday, Herzer withdrew a request for a neurologist
she had hired to examine Sumner Redstone. The move came after
the mogul's lawyers said they would not call their own
neurological expert as a witness.
Redstone's attorneys say he was fully aware of his actions when
he removed Herzer as his designated healthcare agent last
October. Herzer argues that he lacked the mental capacity to
make that decision.
Both sides have discussed a possible settlement but have so far
failed to reach an agreement. The case is scheduled to go to
trial on May 6.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
