LACI LE BEAU VINDICATED BY JURY

MARYELLEN LO BOSCO

FRESNO, Calif. -- Super Dieter's Tea here has been vindicated in San Francisco Superior Court, when a jury found that the tea has no design defect and played no role in the death of Mary Jane Porter.

Laci Le Beau, the company which makes the tea, has been under fire since 1994, when Christopher Grill, a San Francisco lawyer, claimed the tea played a role in his wife's death. Grill publicly aired his charges and made appearances on many television shows, according to Fred Stine, CEO for Laci Le Beau. Along the way, Grill was joined by three additional defendants with similar claims.

As of August 11th, all but one case has been dismissed. The jury found that Porter died of a bacterial infection.

Super Dieter's Tea uses a senna-based flavoring. Senna, even when used as a major ingredient in laxatives, has no known side effects, said Stine.

Stine also told SN that Laci Le Beau is suing Grill for trade libel, and that the company has been able to show losses in excess of $5 million.