SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) - The Salvation Army will have to pay more than $1 million to two men who were beaten by a group of drug rehabilitation residents led by an employee.
A Sonoma County jury awarded the damages Friday to 27-year-old Sean Levans of Shelbyville, Ind., and 26-year-old Scott Nunley of Santa Rosa.
Their lawyer alleged that the Salvation Army should not have allowed Stephen Watson, a former meth addict once tied to a prison gang, to supervise more than 90 residents as a manager at its Lytton Springs facility.
Authorities say Watson took a group out for a night of drinking on Nov. 25, 2005, that ended with them beating Levens and Nunley at a gas station.
The jury awarded Levens, who suffered permanent brain injuries, most of the damages.
Watson also was convicted in the beating in criminal court.
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Information from: The Press Democrat, http://www.pressdemo.com
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