COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Franklin County jury has ordered a $27 million verdict in a heartbreaking case tied to the death of Gregory Coleman Jr., a 37-year-old father deeply involved in his community. Coleman passed away after being attacked by security personnel outside the now-closed Julep Bar in the Short North, an incident that gained significant attention after being recorded and shared widely online.
The lawsuit, initiated in 2023, held accountable both the bar’s owners and the two security guards involved in the incident, Dwayne Cummings and Chrystian Foster. In 2024, both were found guilty of murder, with Cummings receiving a life sentence, while Foster was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
Greg Coleman Sr. has expressed the devastating impact of losing his son. “Losing my son, it changed my whole life,” he said, highlighting the qualities that made Gregory a remarkable person and athlete.
The tragic event took place on Labor Day in 2022 when police were dispatched to the bar on North High Street around 2:30 a.m. Upon arrival, they found Coleman unresponsive, partly lying in the street. He was transported to a local hospital, remaining in a coma on life support until he succumbed to his injuries on September 18.
During the confrontation, Coleman encountered the security guards, who were tasked with maintaining order. Prosecutors indicated that the violence began when Cummings delivered an initial punch, followed by another strike as the guards continued to assault Coleman while he lay helpless on the ground, as captured in the bystander’s footage.
Rex Elliot, the attorney representing Coleman’s family, underscored the critical role of employers in ensuring safety measures are in place. He argued that security personnel are meant to protect individuals, not harm them, and stressed the importance of proper training and supervision. “Every employer has a responsibility to effectively train their employees so that something like this doesn’t happen,” Elliot stated.
The lawsuit further claimed that both guards lacked adequate training and supervision, indicating they were hired without background checks, which may have played a significant role in the tragic outcome.
This case raises crucial questions about accountability and the obligations of businesses to ensure the safety of their patrons, reflecting broader concerns about security practices in the nightlife industry.
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