‘Desperate Housewives’ Case Goes to the Jury

“Desperate Housewives” jury will decide whether to give Nicollette Sheridan millions. The actress claims her character was axed because she complained of being struck

Nicollette Sheridan's $6 million wrongful termination suit against ABC over her dismissal from "Desperate Housewives" is in the hands of the jury.

Nine of the 12 jurors — nine of whom are women — must agree in order for a verdict to be reached.

Also read: Nicollette Sheridan's Lawyer: You Can't Keep a Secret in Hollywood for 9 Months

The actress says she was fired from the show in February 2009 as retaliation for complaining that the show's creator Marc Cherry had struck her in the head during a taping on Sept. 24, 2008.

Sheridan’s case initially included a battery claim, but L.A. Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White ruled Tuesday that jurors will no longer be asked to consider that allegation.

Cherry and former ABC Studios president Mark Pedowitz have testified that the decision to kill off Sheridan’s character Edie Britt came on May 22, 2008. 

Also read: 'Housewives' Trial: ABC's Lawyer Calls Nicollette Sheridan's Case 'Desperate'

Both side completed closing arguments Wednesday.

Sheridan's attorney Mark Baute said several of ABC's witnesses lied on the stand as part of a conspiracy to cover up what he termed a retaliatory firing.

Adam Levin, lead counsel for ABC and Touchstone called the allegations of perjury "desperate." He said the writers notes and testimony of 10 witnesses corroborated the network's version of the timeline for the killing off of Sheridan's character. 

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