A Lincoln County oil field pollution trial is headed for a thirdweek after defendants concluded their case Tuesday, circuit courtofficials said.

Due to the Thanksgiving holidays, court has wrapped up for theweek. The trial is to resume Monday with jury instructions andclosing arguments.

“It should be over Monday, or Tuesday at the latest,” saidCircuit Clerk Terry Case Watkins, adding that attorneys will begiven more time than usual for closing arguments.

In the trial, plaintiffs Leland and Helen Smith, Nathan and MaryCarter, Gene C. “Moochie” and Margaret S. Britt and Hal Ray andDoris Case Owens, who own various property in the Brookhaven OilField, claim that decades of oil-related activity by Chevron ruinedtheir property and that lingering radiation poses healthconcerns.

Chevron contends the property is still valuable and that anyradiation in the field is below environmental standards levels andnot harmful.

During Tuesday’s court action, Judge Keith Starrett said twojurors had received unsolicited telephone calls about the trial.Callers were not identified, the judge said.

Starrett said phone calls to the jury, which has not beensequestered, are “of grave concern to the court.” He added that hewas satisfied that the calls would not impact deliberations.

“No one has told me of anything that would affect the jury’sverdict,” Starrett said.

The judge said he had confidence in the jury that they wouldabide by their oath and commended the jurors for reporting thephone calls to their bailiffs.

Starrett warned that he has “not one shred of tolerance”regarding improper contact with jurors. If that happens, he said hewould fully support prosecution of the offenders.