The Gainesville Student Murders
Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A. played a pivotal role in seeking justice for the victims and their families. They represented the families of victims Christa Hoyt and Tracy Paules in wrongful death lawsuits. The firm aimed to provide solace and accountability in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
An explosion at the PCR chemical plant in Gainesville, Florida tragically killed Paul Turner, and seriously injured James Creighton. Jack Fine helped to bring a wrongful death action against PCR Inc. on behalf of Paul’s wife and personal estate representative, Debra Ann Turner.
Jack Fine successfully argued that the case was properly filed in Bradford County because the inmates were seeking direct judicial protection from the alleged unlawful invasion of their constitutional rights in the county where these rights were being violated. The trial court agreed and denied the motion to dismiss or transfer venue, affirming that the suits were rightly instituted where the alleged wrongs occurred.
A group of juvenile detainees filed for a writ of habeas corpus, seeking relief from the deplorable conditions at the North Florida Regional Detention Center. These juveniles argued that the conditions at the facility were unacceptable and violated their basic rights. The circuit court, recognizing the severity of the situation, issued a writ directing that the juveniles be released or transferred and that the Center be closed if certain conditions were not improved.
Cynthia David was riding her motorcycle when she was struck by an SUV driven by James J. Kellner and owned by Patricia R. Bergerson. The Davids filed a negligence action against Kellner and Bergerson, and the trial jury returned a verdict in their favor. Kellner and Bergerson appealed the decision, raising three main issues: the exclusion of Kellner’s testimony regarding measurements at the accident scene, the award for loss of future earning capacity, and the admission of testimony about Kellner’s prescription drug use.