The Haggard Law Firm’s Michael Haggard and Adam Finkel secured two settlements totaling $10 Million in two negligent security wrongful death cases against the same defendants. The cases addressed the murders of two young men in Pensacola, Florida. While killed in different apartment complexes, both were owned and operated by The Marquis Group.
Kuanterion Rivers Case
On June 20, 2020, Kuanterion Rivers was with friends outside within the Oakwood Terrace Apartments. That day, two young men exited a truck and shot and killed Kuanterion. As law enforcement investigations revealed, they were either jealous of Kuanterion’s budding music career or took offense to one of his song’s lyrics. Kaunterion was unarmed. His daughter, Kueen, was born just months earlier.
Oakwood Terrace is formerly known as Truman Arms, but was renamed after The Marquis Group purchased the property. It was clear that the Defendants were aware that the property was known for crime, but The Marquis Group did little to meaningfully improve safety at the complex. For example, it failed to repair the front gates. This is how the shooters were able to drive freely into the complex.
Even further, Oakwood has a guard house designed for a security guard to monitor persons entering the property, but The Marquis Group did not have a guard inside. In this case, The Marquis Group argued that they employed off-duty officers, but it was clear to The Haggard Law Firm that The Marquis Group understood that more security was needed. Nevertheless, Marquis chose to not employ 24/7 guards, including private security.
Filing a lawsuit on behalf of Kuanterion’s estate, The Haggard Law Firm highlighted the history of violence in Oakwood and the failure to reasonably secure the property. The defense argued that The Marquis Group did act reasonably since there were occasional off-duty patrols on duty. They also argued that nothing could have prevented Kuanterion’s death, since the shooters targeted him.
This case ultimately settled with The Marquis Group for $5 Million.
Jeffrey Kennell Case
On December 29, 2020, Jeffrey Kennell, Jr. was walking home to his apartment in the Forest Creek Apartments, when two people followed him through a side entry gate and shot him. His mother, Raquel, heard the noise, ran outside, and found her son dead. As law enforcement discovered, the shooters incorrectly believed that Jeffrey was involved in the killing of another young man, and shot 16-year-old Jeffrey in retaliation.
Jeffrey had nothing to do with the murder the retaliation shooting was based on. The young men that were involved, were later arrested.
Forest Creek is formerly known as Warrington Village but was renamed after The Marquis Group purchased the property. While aware of the property’s criminal history, The Marquis Group did little to meaningfully improve safety at the complex.
For instance, The Marquis Group failed to monitor or repair the broken side gate where Kennell’s killers entered. The Marquis Group understood more security was needed, but failed to make reasonable efforts to employ 24/7 guards, including private security.
Filing a lawsuit on behalf of Jeffrey’s estate, The Haggard Law Firm highlighted the staggering history of violence in Forest Creek and argued that The Marquis Group failed to reasonably secure the property. In depositions of their president and regional manager, it became clear to Finkel and Haggard that neither employee was sufficiently trained to be in charge of operating such a publicly-subsidized housing complex with a history of crime, and they were in over their heads. On the other hand, the defense argued that The Marquis Group did act reasonably since there were occasional off-duty patrols on duty. They also argued that nothing could have prevented Jeffrey’s death, since the shooters targeted him.
Nevertheless, the matter was settled with The Marquis Group for $5 Million Dollars. Jeffrey was survived by his parents.
