Antwan Nelson, 21, of Lakeland, FL was charged with the murder of Auntrey Jones of Ft. Meade, FL. After four hours of deliberation, a jury returned a verdict, finding Nelson guilty of first-degree murder, robbery and attempted robbery. Polk County Circuit Judge, J. Michael Hunter later sentenced him to life in prison.
According to a recent article in the Lakeland Ledger, Nelson and his co-defendant, James Bell were working together to rob a man at gunpoint while driving in a car on the evening of July 27, 2008. After successfully robbing Lachaz Clark, they then drove on and attempted to rob twenty-year-old Auntrey Jones. Jones received a gunshot to the chest and died from fatal injuries at Seminole Avenue South and Southwest Eighth Street in Fort Meade, FL.
Nelson, who was driving the getaway vehicle, then led police on a high-speed chase. He pleaded guilty to fleeing and eluding police but maintained his innocence throughout the trial on all other charges.
Pursuant to Florida Statute 768.0710(2) , a civil action for negligence may be brought against a property owner where the business owner fails to exercise reasonable care in the maintenance, inspection, repair, warning or mode of operation of the business premises. A party may have a claim against a business entity if its actions or omissions result in injury or damage.
While this article is silent as to the exact location of the shooting, a negligence action may exist if the incident occurred on business property. Unfortunately, it is often assumed that the only legal remedy in such cases is within the criminal setting. As a personal injury lawyer practicing in Polk County, FL, I have assisted victims of crimes in bringing civil claims against property owners. Businesses have a duty to act reasonably where there is a foreseeable threat of harm to their patrons. A breach of that duty may constitute negligence.
