(No Ratings Yet)By Tim Gilmore
Last year we brought you two cases of criminals who sued their victims. As part of this month’s Most Ridiculous Lawsuit Poll, we bring you a related case – the victim of a crime who is suing another victim.
In 2008, a teenager grabbed a tip jar from the counter of a Starbucks and took off running. One of the customers, Roger Kreutz, chased the kid out into the parking lot and caught up to him as he was getting into a car. The two scuffled a bit until the teen was able to get into his car drive off, but as he did so his car knocked Kreutz over, who hit his head on the pavement and died two days later. The thief pled guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to a year in jail.
One life lost, another ruined over a tip jar containing less than $5. But out of this tragic story comes a redeeming twist. Kreutz’s family has forgiven the teen, and even invited him to participate in a memorial service where they all planted a tree in Kreutz’s honor. The family members say they knew the teen meant no harm.
However, the family’s compassion doesn’t extend further to the store the teen was robbing – they are taking Starbucks to court on the grounds that the tip jar “invited the act” of the crime, and that Starbucks was negligent in not employing a security guard. The teen was not named in the suit.
It’s easy to empathize with this family as they mourn a loved one. But that isn’t an excuse to haul Starbucks into court on a genuinely absurd claim that the coffee store is guilty of “tempting” some kid into stealing tips from the baristas. Should victims be held accountable for the criminal actions of the perpetrators? If this suit is successful, where does it end?
Is this the Most Ridiculous Lawsuit of the Month? Or is it one of these instead:
- Woman claims shoes stick together; sues Adidas after fall
- Lawsuit says cruise ship went too fast
- Mom files suit against exclusive preschool over child’s college prospects
- Ref sues writer over Tweet about “make-up calls”
I would ban the family and the thief from my business forever. It is time business people started fighting back against these criminals.
Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!|
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.|
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.|
Excellent blog you have got here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! Take care!!|