In August, a jury found the company responsible for DeWayne Johnson's cancer.
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The Bay Area groundskeeper was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2014 at age 42.
But in a tentative ruling Wednesday afternoon, a judge said Johnson did not provide any evidence that Monsanto employees believed that exposure to the common weed killer Roundup caused his lymphoma.
If a new trial does happen some believe the judge will still rule in Johnson's favor... but significantly lower the amount Monsanto has to pay.
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"I don't think she was persuaded to change her mind about punitive damages. That's the big amount, that's $250 million. I don't think she was persuaded by Mr. Miller on maintaining the $33 million," said David Levine, a law professor.
The judge is expected to make a final ruling within two weeks.
Johnson's lawsuit is among hundreds alleging Roundup caused cancer, but his was the first one to go to trial.