The Latest: GM ignition switch trial dismissed

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The latest on a New York trial over General Motors’ faulty ignition switches (all times local):

10 a.m.

The first trial aimed at aiding settlement of hundreds of lawsuit stemming from General Motors’ faulty ignition switches has been dismissed because of questions about the plaintiff’s story.

The claims of an Oklahoma man whose air bags didn’t inflate when his car crashed in 2014 unraveled during the Manhattan federal court trial.

At the request of lawyers on both sides, a judge dismissed the case Friday.

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman had asked the parties to discuss dropping the case a day earlier after he concluded there was merit to GM’s claims that a document was doctored and injuries were exaggerated.

GM says it is pleased the case is ending without any payment to the plaintiffs. A lawyer for plaintiff Robert Scheuer said he is disappointed but that other litigation against the automaker will continue.

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9:10 a.m.

Both sides say they’ll seek the dismissal of a trial aimed at defining settlement options for hundreds of lawsuits stemming from General Motors’ faulty ignition switches.

Attorney Robert C. Hilliard said the action being taken Friday will mark a “disappointing” end to the trial from the plaintiffs’ point of view.

General Motors Co. spokesman James R. Cain said the Manhattan case was unmerited.

It involved an Oklahoma man whose air bags didn’t inflate when his car crashed in 2014.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman said that General Motors should be entitled to dispute the claims of Robert Scheuer with new evidence raising questions about his testimony.