Brother Stewart and
Michael Parnell and their quality assurance manager, Mary Wilkerson, have all
been found guilty in a long trial over salmonella food poisoning from the
peanuts they processed at Peanut Corporation of America in Georgia.
During 2008 and 2009 the
company’s peanuts sickened at least 714; nine died.
Both Parnells were
judged guilty of conspiracy. Wilkerson was found guilty of obstruction.
Conspiracy charges and
the obstruction charges each carry up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing will
take place later.
Experts say it's the
first time corporate executives and plant workers have gone to trial in a food
poisoning case.
During the trial, it
became clear that the three knew their plant and products were contaminated,
yet they kept selling the peanuts.
