A Miami jury is about to render a verdict in a case that could financially devastate some cigarette producers.

Hemming was convicted by a Miami jury of conspiracy to import marijuana.

Last year, the Miami jury held that the industry had conspired to hide the dangers of its products, setting the stage for a likely punitive damage award.

He initially received a $2.5 million judgment from a Miami jury in 1993 and ended up "with about $700,000 after taxes and paying the lawyers."

These include Miami grand juries that will not indict hijackers who are often portrayed here as having engineered daring rescues from an oppressive socialist government.

Told that it would be several weeks before the Miami jury took up the question of punitive damages, Mr. Scruggs appeared relieved.

Mr. Lozano was first convicted of manslaughter charges by a Miami jury.

Yesterday, the Miami jury began hearing closing arguments in the cases of three people chosen to represent the entire class of Florida smokers.

Last year, the Miami jury found that the nation's biggest cigarette makers had hidden information about the potential dangers of their products.

A Miami jury is expected to award punitive damages soon against the tobacco industry in a major class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of Florida smokers.