PRINCETON – The estate administrator and widow of a man fatally shot at a Bluefield hotel are seeking $1 million from the hotel's operators and the shooter.
Marjorie Smails, administrator of the estate of Dexter Mitchell, and Shenella Mitchell, his widow filed a complaint Jan. 29 in Mercer Circuit Court against Steven Williams and other unnamed persons and Stafford Hospitality, doing business as Quality Hotel & Conference Center, alleging negligence and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that on Jan. 30, 2016, plaintiffs' decedent Dexter Mitchell was shot by defendant Williams at Quality Hotel & Conference Center's parking area. The suit states Williams was convicted of the murder in November 2017.
The plaintiffs allege Stafford Hospitality failed to provide adequate safety and security to its patrons.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against the defendants in an amount greater than $1 million, plus interest and costs of this action. They are represented by R. Thomas Czarnik in Princeton. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Mark Wills.
Mercer Circuit Court case number 18-C-28