Credit: Jennifer Brett
Credit: Jennifer Brett
Fulton County Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedford ruled today in a $50 million wrongful death civil case that Nick Gordon was "legally responsible" for the death of Bobbi Kristina Brown last year.
The ruling emanates from a civil lawsuit Bobbi Kristina's rep filed against Nick, not criminal proceedings. Here's the lawsuit.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard's office took over the investigation initially launched by the Roswell police department.
Howard issued a statement Friday afternoon:
"As we have stated on numerous occasions and we will repeat again today, this case remains under active investigation by our office. Our investigation will encompass all relevant facts and circumstances, including the body and content of the civil action holding Nick Gordon civilly responsible for the death of Bobbi Kristina Brown."
Gordon's representatives have not yet responded to a request for comment, although his legal team has previously blasted the civil suit filed against him by Brown's estate.
Credit: Jennifer Brett
Credit: Jennifer Brett
Bobbi Kristina's aunt Leolah Brown exulted in an open message on Facebook. An excerpt:
"Of course he did not show up today in court and I didn't expect him to! But we where there anyways! And I personally waited for him to come through those doors but he didn't!
So now he's made it SOOOO BAD for himself!! The Judge was angry at him for not showing up and is holding him responsible for Bobby Kristina's death!!! But they cannot leave Pat out so..No and hell no! THANK YOU ALLAH GOD! COME ON GOD LET THE DOMINOES FALL!!!! YES!!! I AM READY!"
Gordon did not show up for court Friday morning, where attorneys representing the estate of Brown laid out their arguments in a civil case, Channel 2 reported. Gordon repeatedly ignored requests to appear in court and answer questions, and past court documents show Gordon pleaded the Fifth Amendment when questioned about Brown.
Randy Kessler, an Atlanta trial attorney who does not represent either party, said the court did not specifically establish Gordon did anything wrong. The plaintiff's requests to assess liability were granted because he didn't respond or appear. "It is not a decision on the merits," he said.
Tune into Channel 2's broadcast at 4 p.m. for more.
Credit: Jennifer Brett
Credit: Jennifer Brett
Brown, daughter of the late Whitney Houston and R&B singer Bobby Brown, died at age 22 in July 2015, months after being found unresponsive in a bathtub on Jan. 31. It was an eerily similar death to that of her mother in a Beverly Hills hotel in early 2012.
PAST COVERAGE
Bobbi Kristina was scarred and missing teeth, autopsy reveals
Nick Gordon's legal team called allegations slanderous
Brown's legal counsel said Gordon has not cooperated with discovery, according to RadarOnline.
The suit claimed Gordon was guilty of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and moving money from Brown’s account into his own without authorization.
Gordon's legal team dubbed the allegations "slanderous and meritless." An excerpt from court documents:
The suit claims he "gave Bobbi Kristina a toxic cocktail rendering her unconscious and then put her face-down in a tub of cold water causing her to suffer brain damage. (Gordon) then came out of the master bedroom wearing a different set of clothing than he was in prior to his argument with Bobbi Kristina. Afterward he got in bed, and laid his head on female guest's ankle and stated, "Now I want a pretty little white girl like you."
The suit goes on to claim that 15 minutes after this allegedly happened, Gordon let the water out of the tub, and tried reviving Bobbi Kristina, saying "wake up" as he performed CPR.
The suit claims that "(Gordon)'s violent attack on Bobbi Kristina and associated reckless and toxic cocktail caused her to sustain a profound brain injury, which ultimately caused her death."
The lawsuit does not specify what was in the so-called "toxic cocktail" or identify the "female guest" or any sources of information who provided the basis for the suit. It goes on to repeat past claims that Gordon took money from Bobbi Kristina's account while she was incapacitated, without authorization.
Gordon in an interview with Dr. Phil McGraw for the "Dr. Phil" show this spring denied he had anything to do with her death or that of her mom.
"Regardless of what everybody thinks, I made Krissy and Whitney's last few years on earth as happy as they would be," he told. Dr. Phil.
Dr. Phil at the time said Gordon appeared "high as a kite" during the talk.
11 Alive reporter Jennifer Leslie was first with the news of the judge's ruling.
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