RitcheyRch
10-13-2007, 10:48 AM
http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_285203222.html
A Tennessee woman who sued an Artesia motel because her two pre-teen daughters were exposed to unsolicited pornography on TV was awarded $85,000 on Friday.
Edwina McCombs of Nashville, who is divorced, and her daughters, who were about 7 and 8 years old at the time, were in Southern California in August 2006 to visit relatives and see local attractions, according to one of her lawyers, Eliot F. Krieger.
On Aug 6, 2006, they checked into the Value Lodge at 11854 Artesia Blvd. She went to take a bath while the girls turned on the television to watch a children's show, according to her lawsuit.
Instead, the sisters saw hardcore pornography with close-up images of people engaged in sex acts, the suit stated.
McCombs unplugged the television and she and the girls checked out the next morning.
McCombs and her daughters testified during the trial. Also taking the stand in her behalf was a hotel management expert who said the standard in the profession for offering adult films is to require guests to contact the front desk or use a credit card.
Also testifying was an investigator who said the Value Lodge does not block its pornography channels, post warnings to parents, provide a list of channels to its guests or implement any restrictions to prevent children from seeing it.
Charles Su, the motel manager, said previously that the front desk has the ability to stop transmission of sexually explicit movies into room televisions if guests ask. McCombs did not make such a request and later declined the motel owner's offer to talk about her complaint and reach a resolution, Su said.
The lawsuit was filed later in the month in Norwalk Superior Court.
McCombs alleged negligence and emotional distress. A jury deliberated for about a day before reaching its verdict.
Scott J. Jarvis, one of McCombs' lawyers, said his client was pleased with the award.
"She wasn't as concerned about the money as she was in making a point," Jarvis said.
A Tennessee woman who sued an Artesia motel because her two pre-teen daughters were exposed to unsolicited pornography on TV was awarded $85,000 on Friday.
Edwina McCombs of Nashville, who is divorced, and her daughters, who were about 7 and 8 years old at the time, were in Southern California in August 2006 to visit relatives and see local attractions, according to one of her lawyers, Eliot F. Krieger.
On Aug 6, 2006, they checked into the Value Lodge at 11854 Artesia Blvd. She went to take a bath while the girls turned on the television to watch a children's show, according to her lawsuit.
Instead, the sisters saw hardcore pornography with close-up images of people engaged in sex acts, the suit stated.
McCombs unplugged the television and she and the girls checked out the next morning.
McCombs and her daughters testified during the trial. Also taking the stand in her behalf was a hotel management expert who said the standard in the profession for offering adult films is to require guests to contact the front desk or use a credit card.
Also testifying was an investigator who said the Value Lodge does not block its pornography channels, post warnings to parents, provide a list of channels to its guests or implement any restrictions to prevent children from seeing it.
Charles Su, the motel manager, said previously that the front desk has the ability to stop transmission of sexually explicit movies into room televisions if guests ask. McCombs did not make such a request and later declined the motel owner's offer to talk about her complaint and reach a resolution, Su said.
The lawsuit was filed later in the month in Norwalk Superior Court.
McCombs alleged negligence and emotional distress. A jury deliberated for about a day before reaching its verdict.
Scott J. Jarvis, one of McCombs' lawyers, said his client was pleased with the award.
"She wasn't as concerned about the money as she was in making a point," Jarvis said.