Massey Energy News

Defense Rests in West Virginia Mine Blast Trial, Blankenship Stays Mum

Former Massey Energy Chief Donald Blankenship won’t take the witness stand to explain what happened when a company mine exploded in 2010 killing 29 workers, choosing instead to leave his fate in the hands of jurors at his criminal trial …

Trial Update: Ex-Massey CEO Blankenship Downplayed Black-Lung Threat to Miners

Ex-Massey Energy Chief Executive Officer Donald Blankenship downplayed the threat that miners develop black-lung disease in shafts choked with coal dust, jurors in the executive’s criminal trial heard in a recorded phone call. Blankenship, a vocal opponent of government regulations, …

Secret CEO Recordings Allowed in Massey Mine Blast Trial

Donald Blankenship’s own words may come to haunt the former Massey Energy Co. chief executive officer at his criminal trial as a federal judge said prosecutors can let the jury hear conversations secretly recorded while he led the company. U.S. …

Massey Mines Alerted Workers When Safety Inspectors on Site: Testimony

Massey Energy executives used an advanced warning system at the company’s Upper Big Branch mine to alert workers as soon as federal inspectors arrived on site, a former miner testified Thursday at the criminal trial for ex-chief executive Donald Blankenship. …

Deadly West Virginia Mine Explosion Trial Puts Spotlight on Massey’s King Coal

Before death came to Upper Big Branch Mine, Donald L. Blankenship managed his patch of Appalachia like King Coal incarnate. Outside homes in rural West Virginia flew the banner of his company, Massey Energy Co.: a flame leaping out of …

Trial Set to Start for Former Energy CEO in Deadly West Virginia Mine Blast

Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship hits the courtroom for a criminal trial Thursday, facing charges that he conspired to break safety laws and lied to financial regulators about safety practices at the site of the deadliest U.S. mine explosion …

West Virginia Prosecutors Say Explosion Evidence Crucial to Blankenship Case

Prosecutors say in court documents that evidence about the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster is a necessary part of the government’s criminal case against former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports prosecutors made the filing in a …

Ex-Massey CEO’s Lawyers: Keep West Virginia Mine Blast Out of Criminal Trial

Attorneys for former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship want evidence about the 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia kept out of his criminal trial this fall. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the attorneys filed a motion …

Judge Delays Ex-Massey CEO’s Trial, Keeps Case in West Virginia

A federal judge has agreed to delay the criminal trial of former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship. U.S. District Judge Irene Berger on Friday delayed the trial from July 13 to Oct. 1, The Charleston Gazette reports. Berger also ordered …

Lawyers on Both Sides of Blankenship Criminal Case Request Trial Delay

Prosecutors and defense attorneys are asking for an October trial in the criminal case against former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship. Blankenship is charged with conspiring to violate safety standards at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia where …