A Dallas Country Court on Tuesday lowered the punishment damages amount from seven billion dollars to one billion dollars for a communication company – Charter Communications. The company which provides its services in 41 states across the USA, has been ordered to pay the compensation award after its technician was found guilty of murdering a senior citizen in her eighties in her home.
Reduction In Punitive Award Only
Initially, the company was asked by a jury of the same court to pay, seven billion dollars as punishment and 335.7 million as compensatory damage. Dallas Court ruling only lowered the amount of punishment. Reportedly the amount has to be shared between the estate and four family members of the deceased.
Reports bring out that, the Dallas Single Judge bench hearing was in line with a US Supreme Court verdict. The American apex court had said that the ratio between compensation and punishment amount should not exceed a single digit. As per the previous ruling, the jury had awarded compensation and punishment in the ratio of 20:1.
However, the Dallas court found Charter Communication of neglecting its duty. The court ruling in favour of the plaintiff in the murder case noted that the communication company was intentionally involved in fraud to harm the women.
The jury also found that “Charter knowingly or intentionally committed forgery with the intent to defraud or harm Plaintiffs,” Renteria wrote
Shady Past
Charter Communications have been accused of hiring the murderer and its employee without a background check. Charter reportedly ignored the blotted work history of its employee. The murderer Holden who had pleaded guilty to the murder in 2019 had been involved in numerous other illegal activities. Holden who was sentenced in the year 2021 is currently serving a life term.
Appeal Again
In its defence, the company has said that Holden’s background did not indicate any wrongdoing and has completed more than a thousand service calls without complaints of any sort. The company said that the company could not see the upcoming crime from its employee, in a statement. The company is contemplating appealing again
Out of the total 375 million dollars to be paid as compensatory damage, The company is expected to pay 337 million dollars and the remaining 37.5 million dollars by Holden. However, the company might have to pay the full compensatory damage which also includes 37.5 million dollars, as per the order of the court.
