September 23, 2011 Family of a man shot-killed by security guard awarded $2million www.privateofficer.com
“I feel my son has been vindicated and justice has been served,” said Lori Pixley, the mother of 20-year-old Anthony Wacker.
She spoke to 10News on Wednesday after a jury awarded her $1.87 million in damages following the Sept. 11, 2009 shooting of her son at the Vista Transit Center.
“I hope that policies and procedures will change with guards and I feel justice has been served in this case,” said Pixley.
Surveillance video shows Wacker and Sam Tavalotti, the Heritage Security guard standing at the transit center. Moments later, an argument between Tavalotti and Wacker turned physical and Wacker is shot in the back twice.
On Wednesday, the jury not only found Tavalotti to be negligent that day but also Heritage Security and Wacker. The jury assigned a percentage of the $1.87 million in damages to each party they found responsible.
Superior Court Judge Robert P. Dahlquist read the jury’s decision aloud.
“Sam Tavalotti, 60 percent. Heritage Security, 15 percent. Anthony Wacker, 25,” he said.
That means Wacker’s mother will really receive $1.4 million in initial damages but because the jury found the security guard’s actions that day to be malicious and oppressive, a second punitive damages phase will come next.
Defense attorney Todd Macaluso would not comment on the details. All he would say that is the jury will reconvene at Vista courthouse on Monday at 9 a.m. Macaluso also said it was possible that a settlement regarding the punitive damages could be decided over the weekend.
Source:10news.com
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