Woman sues tavern after husband was shot, killed by drunk patron

BECKLEY – A woman is suing over claims her husband was shot to death by an intoxicated patron of a bar.

Kista Williams, individually and as administratrix of the estate of James "Jimmy" Williams, deceased, filed a lawsuit Sept. 5 in Raleigh Circuit Court against Hillbilly's Tavern and Joyce Cox, citing wrongful death.

According to the complaint, Kista Williams and her husband, Jimmy, were at Cox's bar, Hillbilly's Tavern, on Coal River Road in Rock Creek on Sept. 15, 2012, and into the morning of Sept. 16. The complaint states another patron of the bar, Donald Blaine Moore, arrived intoxicated and was served more alcohol at the establishment to the point that he became rowdy, and he assaulted and battered Jimmy Williams.

According to the lawsuit, when Kista and Jimmy Williams attempted to leave the bar, Moore knocked Jimmy to the ground, produced a handgun and shot him in the back. Jimmy Williams died before arriving at the hospital.

Hillbilly's and Cox are accused of negligence in failing to employ proper security to remove Moore from the premises when he posed a danger to other patrons.

Kista Williams seeks damages, loss of income of the decedent and funeral expenses. She is represented by attorney Paul W. Roop II of Beckley.

Raleigh Circuit Court case number 14-C-872-B