Teen strangled, slit 9-year-old's throat
Wednesday, Oct. 1 2008 @ 3:54PM
From ABC News: "A 19-year-old hotel employee who police believe is in the country illegally has been charged with the murder of Jennifer Hampton..." The man says his name is Valentino Miranda. He is being held in Knoxville on one count of murder in the 1st degree. An associate, Rogelio Melchor, was employed at the same Days Inn. Melchor being held on unrelated charges, but is considered a person of interest in the Hampton case. [ABC News]
I smell a wrongful death lawsuit with Hampton's employer's name on it...
Posted 10/01/2008 at 04:12:14 PMCouldn't agree more.
Posted 10/01/2008 at 04:14:05 PMVega: Did you mean a wrongful death lawsuit of Miranda's employer, the Days Inn Hotel, for hiring an illegal alien (if, in fact, he is in the country illegally)? I hardly think Jennifer's employer is responsible for the actions of a hotel employee, or are you suggesting her firm put her in harm's way?
Were Jennifer's coworkers threatened? Have there been complaints in the past about that hotel? Did Jennifer's company show disregard for the safety of their employees?
I ask these questions knowing full well that many times a lawsuit isn't logical or rational.
Posted 10/01/2008 at 07:13:44 PMHiring an illegal exposes fellow employees to another risk that is simply too easy to avoid. Someone who violates one of the most important laws of the nation will think nothing of violating others. Especially after 9-11. At a minimum, the employer will be immediately one down. What other laws did the employer fail to obey when hiring? Now the employer is exposed to further investigations and unpleasant attention. There are plenty of companies that will pay off such a suit just to get the heat off. Those costs are passed along to you, the customer. At least someone who is authorized to be here knows or should know they are subject to our laws.
Posted 10/01/2008 at 11:43:56 PMAgh... I was in Knoxville the night this horrible event occurred.That scares me... didn't this motel (ugh - never stay at motels!) have one of those latches that ALL hotels have?! There are usually three locks... one that the key accesses, a bolt, and a latch. What happened here? This is a NIGHTMARE. This poor girl. We barely hear about this case... another young girl preyed upon. So scary and sad.
Posted 10/03/2008 at 08:13:42 PM