$10 Million Verdict for Family of Apartment Murder Victim
In Tennessee and all over the United States, we hear reports about people being abused and killed in their homes, at schools, in parks, and many other places. People should be able to feel safe and secure inside their homes, but sometimes this is unfortunately not the case. If someone you care about has been the victim of a crime in their home or anywhere else, you should talk to a Tennessee personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They will hear your case and work with you to make sure you get the justice and compensation you need for what you have suffered.
In this case, Melissa Donner, twenty-one, who lived in a studio apartment and worked in two restaurants was raped, beaten, and killed by Roberto Ramirez, a man who lived in another apartment in the same complex, on January 24th of 2005. After committing the crime, Ramirez came back to his apartment covered in blood and told his friends that he had done something really bad. He then fled to Mexico, according to police. He was caught in 2006 and returned to the city after police gained permission from the Donner family who wanted to pursue the death penalty against Ramirez.
Ramirez plead guilty later and is currently serving a fifty year sentence. According to the lawsuit against the management company of the apartment complex, Ramirez had previously assaulted another female two months before Donner got killed and if management had followed their policies for screening their tenants, Ramirez would not have even been in the building.
The jury for this case reached a $10 million verdict for the Donner family.
Cases similar to this one happen all too frequently to people all across the United States and even here to Tennessee residents. If someone you love has been the victim of a crime in their home or any place else, we highly recommend that you contact one of our caring and knowledgeable Tennessee crime victim attorneys immediately. We care about our clients and will work with you to see that you receive the justice and compensation you are entitled to by law.
Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
