Studio Ignored Mock Trial in Coppola Case

I was chosen to act as part of a jury performing market research last March. This market research was being performed to determine if there were any valid reasons that there should be a trial between Francis Ford Coppola and Warner Bros. [$80-Million Verdict for Coppola Sets a Record,” July 10].

Lawyers from Warner Bros. were there and presented their side of the story. Coppola was also there (and had to show his driver’s license to us because we did not believe that it was really him, but an actor) and presented his side of the story.

The results of this mock trial should have convinced Warner Bros. that they would be foolish to go up against Coppola. As in the recent actual trial, we also liked Coppola and felt that the Warner people were arrogant. We found for Coppola and awarded him a large sum of money.

However, apparently Warner Bros. believed that our decisions would not be applicable in a jury trial.

Quite possibly an appeals court will lower the award, but I doubt that Coppola will come off second-best.

GERSTEN SCHACHNE

Northridge