COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Franklin County jury has granted a $27 million verdict in a poignant case centered on the death of Gregory Coleman Jr., a 37-year-old father and active community member. The decision followed a tragic incident involving Coleman, who died after being assaulted outside the now-closed Julep Bar in Columbus’s Short North neighborhood.
Coleman was fatally struck by security guards outside the bar, an event captured on video that circulated widely on social media. The assault occurred on Labor Day in 2022 when police were called to the bar around 2:30 a.m. Officers found Coleman unresponsive and partially in the street. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remained in a coma on a ventilator until his death on September 18, 2022.
In 2023, the Coleman family filed a lawsuit targeting the bar’s owners and the two security guards involved in the confrontation, Dwayne Cummings and Chrystian Foster. Both individuals were convicted of murder in 2024, with Cummings receiving a life sentence and Foster sentenced to between 15 years to life in prison.
Greg Coleman Sr. expressed the profound impact of losing his son, stating, “Losing my son, it changed my whole life. He was the kind of kid that any man would want as his son. He was a tremendous person. He was a hell of an athlete. He was truly special.”
Prosecutors highlighted the guards’ actions, with evidence from witness videos showing Cummings initiating the confrontation. The footage revealed him delivering multiple blows while Coleman lay helpless on the pavement.
Rex Elliot, the attorney representing Coleman’s family, underscored the critical role of employers in ensuring the safety of patrons. He asserted that employers must provide proper training to their employees, especially security personnel. “Every employer has a responsibility to effectively train their employees so that something like this doesn’t happen,” Elliot said. “Security is there to protect people, not to inflict harm.”
The lawsuit claimed that both guards were inadequately trained, lacking supervision and hired without proper background checks. This negligence was addressed in the proceedings, pointing to broader implications for public safety in similar establishments.
As communities grapple with issues of safety and accountability, this verdict marks a significant moment of reflection regarding the responsibilities of businesses and their employees in protecting patrons. The case has resonated deeply with many, highlighting the tragic loss and the quest for justice for Gregory Coleman Jr.
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