Superior Court Judge Thomas Vena has denied the state’s motion for a new trial following an $11.5 million verdict against a New Jersey State Police trooper who mistakenly arrested a motorist experiencing a stroke, resulting in permanent disabilities due to delayed medical intervention. The ruling, issued Friday, firmly rejected multiple arguments for judgment reconsideration.

The court dismissed the state’s assertion that jurors erred in their assessment and declined to set aside or modify the January verdict. Judge Vena specifically rejected the state’s contention that the damages amount was excessive and refused their request for judgment reduction.

In his comprehensive ruling, Judge Vena systematically rejected all grounds for reconsideration, including arguments that jurors improperly assessed damages for both emotional distress and physical suffering, claims that care provided by the plaintiff’s mother should not be compensable, and assertions that evidence regarding the plaintiff’s restraint with shackles was prejudicial and irrelevant to the proceedings.