Anna Belle Newman v. John Patterson Cole

In this wrongful-death action, Anna Belle Newman, the personal
representative of the estate of the decedent, Clinton Patterson Cole, sued Clinton's father, John Cole, and his stepmother, Tara
Cole, for
allegedly causing Clinton's death. Newman's complaint asserted claims of
negligence, wantonness, and willful and intentional conduct.

Clinton was 16 years old at the time of his death, which occurred
during an altercation with his father over Clinton's failure to perform
household chores; Newman asserts that the altercation ended with the
father's striking Clinton repeatedly in the chest and then holding him on
the ground in a "choke hold" while Tara Cole sprayed him in the face with
water from a garden hose. The father held Clinton on the ground for
approximately 20 minutes; he let go of Clinton when a police officer
arrived. Clinton was unconscious, and he was taken to a local hospital;
he died the next day.

Plaintiffs' verdict for $9.3 million.

Unknown

Unknown

Editor's Note: On July 3, 2002, the trial court granted the Coles' motion to dismiss the complaint. Newman appealed, arguing that Alabama should abolish
the doctrine of parental immunity. The Alabama Supreme Court agreed and reversed.

The average value of a wrongful claim in the United States is a little under $950,000.