Story Created:
Apr 7, 2009
Story Updated:
May 4, 2009
A state high court has upheld a ruling that leaves Geo group liable for more than 40-million dollars in damages.
The GEO Group, owners of the Rio Grande Regional Detention center, is being held liable for 42 point 5 million dollars in damages for malicious death and destruction of evidence.
Ronald Rodriguez, the attorney who won the case, represented the De La Rosa family in the wrongful death of their son, Gregorio De La Rosa Junior.
Ronald Rodriguez - ATTORNEY, DE LA ROSA FAMILY
"In this particular case the evidence showed and the court of appeals found the wardens were laughing and smirking for 20 minutes or more while De La Rosa was getting beaten on by other inmates with sox filled with pad locks the disturbing evidence showed the evidence of the beating and the video tape was actually destroyed by Geo group and at least 1 of the weapons was also destroyed by Geo group."
Rodriguez says this case sends a clear message that Texas courts will not tolerate the destruction of evidence and malicious actions in causing the wrongful deaths of Texans.
This case ranked sixth in the nation back in 2006 on jury verdicts.
