Madison County
(16) DONNESA M. GOLDEN, as Personal Representative of the Estate of DANIEL HOWARD GOLDEN, Deceased vs. LAS AMERICAS, LLC, d/b/a TAQUERIA JALISCO MEXICAN RESTAURANT a/k/a JALISCO GROCERY, and BENITO OCAMPO ALBARRAN (Circuit Court of Madison County, Alabama)
County/Docket #/Judge: Madison / CV-07-900512 / J. Scott Vowell
Plaintiff(s) Attorney(s): Matthew C. Minner and James R. Moncus, III, of Hare, Wynn, et al., LLP, Birmingham, AL
Defendant(s) Attorney(s): Benjamin R. Rice of Spurrier, Rice, et al., Huntsville, AL for Las Americas
Age/Sex/Occupation Of Plaintiff: Daniel Howard Golden (decedent): n/a / M / Police Officer
Cause Of Injury: Wrongful Death/Violation of Dram Shop Laws/Police Officer Shot by Intoxicated Bar Employee. Plaintiff Donnesa Golden claimed that on Aug. 29, 2005, defendant Las Americas owned and operated a grocery/restaurant in Huntsville, Alabama, known as Taqueria Jalisco. On that date, defendant Benito Ocampo Albarran, an employee of Taqueria Jalisco, was allegedly served an excessive amount of alcohol in violation of Alabama Code 6-5-71. As a result, Albarran became intoxicated and began to create a disturbance. Huntsville police were called, and Officer Daniel Howard Golden, plaintiff’s husband and decedent, responded. Albarran allegedly initiated a gunfight with Officer Golden, whose firearm malfunctioned and jammed. Albarran then allegedly approached Officer Golden and, at point blank range, placed his gun to the officer’s head and fired two shots. Officer Golden was fatally wounded.
Nature Of Injury: Death.
Expert Witnesses: n/a
Verdict: $37,500,000 for Plaintiff on April 19, 2011 ($25,000,000 against Albarran; $12,500,000 against Las Americas).
Judgment: $37,500,000 for Plaintiff on April 19, 2011 ($25,000,000 against Albarran; $12,500,000 against Las Americas).
Editor's Note: Albarran was convicted of capital murder and given the death penalty. He is currently incarcerated and sitting on death row. He was not present at trial and was not represented.