ORLANDO, Fla. — A jury awarded the parents of an Orange County teenager, who was paralyzed after being caught in the crossfire of a shootout, $100 million in damages on Tuesday.
The parents of Danielle Sampson brought their daughter to court Tuesday so jurors could understand the impact of the shooting.
Danielle Sampson suffered extensive brain damage two years ago when she was hit while riding through Pine Hills in her family's minivan. Mosby was firing a gun from a vehicle in Pine Hills when the minivan was struck.
The teenager should be in her senior year of high school playing on the basketball team.
"It's not too late. With God all things are possible, but my heart aches realizing she can't go right now," said Danielle's mother, Alma Fletcher.
The civil trial against the convicted gunman, Tyrone Mosby, began on Monday. But Mosby, who is representing himself, chose not to be in court Tuesday.
"I still don't have my daughter the way I want her but I am grateful," said Fletcher.
Fletcher testified in court about the moments after the shooting that happened on Powers Drive.
"I said Danielle, 'Please baby, please, you cannot go anywhere. You've got to live,'" said Fletcher.
The family wants Mosby to pay for Danielle's medical bills, which their attorney told WFTV could top $20 million. It's unlikely they'll see much of the money, but the attorney said that's not what the lawsuit was about.
"We have to work together to stop violent crime and if you're going to commit violent crime, the Fletchers and other people in this community are going to step up and use every resource necessary to make sure you're held responsible," said attorney Dan Newlin.
Fletcher said that's the message they hope to convey as they close another chapter in court and return to their new life caring for Danielle.
WFTV
