Responsiblity

As many of you know, we represent both individuals and corporations in a variety of legal issues, but the overriding issue is responsibility. Taking responsibility and in some cases (with the help of the jury) getting others to take the responsibility for their actions when they will not do so voluntarily is one of the fundamental basis for the legal system. Currently we are involved in a case in which two people were killed in a parking lot at a local business. I have already received messages stating that this is the problem with the justice system that we are attempting to blame the business instead of the killer. That is a misunderstanding of the situation. We want (and are doing everything in our power to help the authorities) the killer to be brought to justice, but by the same token we believe that a business that knows of an on-going crime problem, including a prior murder should take some action to protect the people who are paying their hard earned money to shop there. If you follow the logic of some of the messages I have received no business would be responsible for maintaining their property or taking reasonable measures to keep it safe. Their only responsibility would be to collect the money from the customers without care for their safety. The families that went to Kroger that night to buy groceries did their jobs, they drove to the store, brought their money and were ready to buy the groceries. They were not warned about the dangerous nature of the area, they were not provided with any security, the store did not invest in any cameras outside, did not increase lighting nor patrols outside, instead they left it to the criminals and the criminals took advantage of it. Should a business be held responsible for criminal activity when they know it has been going on for sometime? Should they compensate the victims whose only mistake was choosing to shop at this complex? Should the killer be punished? It is my position that the answer to the questions is the same --yes. Let me know your thoughts.