This information changed the complexion of the case. Even so, in the eyes of the law, Beatrice Foods still bore responsibility for what had happened on its land, for keeping an “open and notorious” toxic waste dump. Legally, it did not matter who had contaminated the land, but Schlichtmann knew very well that it would matter to a jury. He still had a case, but it was a far weaker one if he could not prove that Riley had done the dumping himself.

Jonathan Harr, A Civil Action, loc. 1049