Carnahan family rests case in suit

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The family of the late Gov. Mel Carnahan rested its case in a wrongful death lawsuit against an aircraft parts maker with testimony from Jean Carnahan, who described her final conversation with her husband before he and their son, Randy, died in a plane crash.

The defendant, Parker Hannifin Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio, is scheduled to begin presenting its evidence in Jackson County Circuit Court on Tuesday.

Parker Hannifin contends that none of its equipment failed before a plane being flown by Randy Carnahan crashed Oct. 16, 2000. The crash killed the younger Carnahan; his father, who was en route to a U.S. Senate campaign appearance; and Chris Sifford, a longtime aide to the governor.

The family's lawsuit contends that two vacuum pumps made by Parker Hannifin failed.