Secured $7.5 Million Wrongful Death Verdict Following Shooting Death in Traffic Encounter

Lewis, Valerie o/b/o Lewis, Douglas v. Trifiletti

In March of 2023, Robins Kaplan attorney Brandon Vaughn represented the family of Doug Lewis in a civil wrongful death action related to the fatal shooting of Mr. Lewis in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Lewis was shot multiple times and killed by defendant Anthony Trifiletti after a minor fender bender only weeks before George Floyd’s murder.

The defendant claimed self-defense during criminal proceedings despite Doug Lewis being unarmed - no weapons or dangerous objects were found in, or recovered from, Lewis’ possession. Immediately following the shooting, defendant Trifiletti left the scene and returned later only after the urging of his father. Trifiletti was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder.

Following the defendant’s criminal conviction, Brandon Vaughn proceeded with a lawsuit on behalf of Douglas Lewis’ family and secured a verdict in favor of Doug Lewis’ family after a bench trial. The Court entered a verdict totaling more than $7.5 million in damages to the Lewis family. $2.5 million of the verdict was for punitive damages.