Judge Grants Dauman’s Request for Speedy Trial

A Massachusetts judge has granted Viacom executive chairman and CEO Philippe Dauman’ request to expedite is efforts to block Sumner Redstone’s efforts to remove him from the trust that will hold his 80% interest in the media company after his deal or incapacitation.

Massachusetts Probate and Family Court  Judge George Phelan scheduled a hearing in the trial for June 7 at 9 a.m. in Canton, Mass., a Boston suburb.

Dauman filed suit on Monday seeking to block Redstone’s earlier move that ousted Dauman and Viacom board member George Abrams from the trust. On Wednesday he asked the court to expedite the trial. Dauman claims that Redstone’s daughter Shari is exercising undue influence on her father, who the Viacom executive also claims has “diminished capacity.”