Blanchard Maintains No Safety Laws Were Broken

Prosecutors have finished questioning a key government witness whose testimony helped ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship’s attorneys argue that his company prioritized safety. In federal court Friday, the prosecution asked former Massey subsidiary president Christopher Blanchard about dozens of serious safety violations he agreed were preventable if his mine was better staffed or safety-focused. Blanchard had told the defense he didn’t break any laws or conspire with Blankenship to break laws. Blankenship is charged with conspiring to break mine safety laws at Upper Big Branch Mine, which exploded in 2010, killing 29 men. Blanchard’s subsidiary oversaw the mine.