In a significant legal decision reported yesterday, former Florida state senator Daphne Campbell was awarded $100 million by a Miami-Dade County jury, following the wrongful death lawsuit over the 2021 killing of her son, Jason Campbell. According to Local 10 News, Jason was fatally shot while he was sleeping after an intruder, identified as Lakoria Washington, illegally entered the Monte Carlo Condominium complex in Biscayne Gardens.
The case highlighted shortcomings in the condominium's security measures, which ultimately led Daphne Campbell to file a suit against the Monte Carlo Condominium Association, property management company Akam & Associates LLC, and the security firm EMS Protective Group. On Tuesday, the jury found that the bulk of responsibility (57%) lay with Akam & Associates, while Monte Carlo Condominium Association and EMS Protective Group were each deemed 18% at fault. Additionally, a tenant of the complex was found to be 7% responsible for the incident. This verdict appears to set a precedent, encouraging property managers and owners to ensure they provide adequately secure environments for their residents.
“When a senseless tragedy strikes your life, you feel helpless, alone and completely shattered,” Daphne and her husband Hubert Campbell said in a statement obtained by Caribbean National Weekly. The Campbells expressed hope that the verdict would send a strong message to property managers and owners, urging them to ensure adequate security measures are in place to prevent future tragedies. They also thanked their community and legal team for their support, and called for continued prayers for their family—especially for Jason’s three children, who have been left without their father.
Daphne Campbell, originally from Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, served in various legislative capacities in Florida before her electoral defeat in 2018. She attempted a return to the Senate in 2020 but was unsuccessful.
