WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Drowning Suit Draws Community Concern

Drowning Suit Draws Community Concern

By Dawn Russell
dawn@wlbt.net

Testimony continued Thursday in the trial involving a 9 year-old boy who drowned in a Y.M.C.A. swimming pool, but not without more major changes in the case. The list of defendants has dwindled to one. But the parties that have been dropped are still concerned about this lawsuit's effect on charities.

The attorney representing the Y.M.C.A. in this trial said from day one that the Y.M.C.A. accepted partial responsibility for the drowning of 9 year-old Perrize Washington. That's why they settled with the family. But that money does not change the effects that this lawsuit could have in the future.

Monte Barton, who represents the Y.M.C.A. says, "The Y.M.C.A. relies on it's donors and volunteers.  If they get scared away, because of the threat of lawsuits, it will definitely effect not only the Y.M.C.A., but other organizations like that."

Charlene Priester, who represents the TV-3 Foundation says, "That may indeed be something that is discussed in board rooms of charities throughout Jackson, the state and the nation since it was broadcast all over the country."

Priester represents the TV-3 Foundation, the separate non-profit organization that helps the community. It is also out of the lawsuit now. But Priester says she's still troubled by it.

Priester says, "Once someone has been sued in this type of lawsuit, it will always make you wonder before you do something to help. Do you subject yourself to this type of litigation?"

That's why Priester says there needs to be some self-examination in the legal system.

Priester says, "This case might have been the poster child for tort reform...when you start suing charitable organizations when you know all they did is donate money and volunteers."

And if the money and volunteers go...so could community programs like the Y.M.C.A...something Priester and others say communities like the Farish Street area can't do without.