Defense To Start Calling Witnesses in Blankenship Case

The prosecution is set to rest today in the high-profile trial of ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship after calling 27 witnesses and weeks of testimony. Blankenship is charged with conspiring to break safety laws at West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch Mine and lying to financial regulators and investors about safety. The mine exploded in 2010, killing 29 men. It’s unclear how many witnesses the defense will call or if Blankenship will testify.