The Beverly Hills Courier reports a mistrial was declared Wednesday in actress Robin Cohen’s negligence case against landlord / LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling (above, left), stemming from a September 2009 fire at one of Sterling’s West Hollywood properties.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William MacLaughlin granted a motion by Sterling’s attorney, Guy Gruppie, to call an end to the trial just as opening statements were about to begin.
Gruppie said Sterling would be unable to be present for several days because his wife, Rochelle, hurt a knee while the team was recently in China during the exhibition season and the couple was still in that country while she recuperates.
Melissa Yoon, one of Cohen’s attorneys, told the judge her client reluctantly agreed not to oppose the mistrial motion because she feared there could be a similar motion later if the case went forward and Sterling maintained his rights were impacted.
However, Yoon said Cohen is “highly suspicious” about Rochelle Sterling’s knee sprain because the defense has produced no medical reports.
Yoon also said the delay could cause problems with Cohen’s audition schedule. Cohen is best known for her role in Wes Anderson’s “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.”