Ex-Desperate Housewives actress was one juror short of winning $6m wrongful dismissal payout
Former Desperate Housewives Nicollette Sheridan has had her $6m lawsuit for wrongful dismissal against Disney/ABC thrown out of court after jurors failed to reach a decision.
The actress had been locked in a bitter feud with the program's creator, Marc Cherry, after alleging that he struck her on the head during a 2008 rehearsal.
Sheridan says her character Edie was subsequently killed off because she complained about the incident, but Cherry's camp claim he 'tapped' her for direction and had plotted Edie's death months before the actress made the allegation.
Eight jurors - one short of the nine required for a verdict in civil court - sided with Sheridan who wanted at least $5.7 million for wrongful dismissal, but ultimately they said with little tangible evidence the case came down to 'a matter of credibility.'
During the two week trial there were tales of cattiness among the cast, salary disputes and arguments over forgotten lines.
Sheridan said Cherry talked down to her, while he argued she was rude, unpunctual and unprepared for rehearsals. He also revealed she had heated arguments with co-star Teri Hatcher over forgotten lines and claims Felicity Huffman and Eva Longoria, were 'relieved' when they learned she was leaving the show.
Upon hearing the verdict, Nicollette, 48, dramatically stormed out of the courthouse. A retrial is set for 19 April.
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