Mark Baute told jurors during closing arguments Wednesday in Sheridan's wrongful termination lawsuit that killing off her Edie Britt character was bad business.
He says evidence presented in the two-week trial supports his contention that Sheridan's forced departure was in retaliation for her complaint that creator Marc Cherry hit her on the set in September 2008.
The incident occurred after Sheridan's contract was renewed, guaranteeing her a full season's pay and a share of profits for the entire series.
Cherry claims he received approval to kill off Sheridan's role months before the dispute.
Nine of 12 jurors must agree to reach a verdict in the wrongful termination case.