Martin v. Marciano
Rhode Island Supreme Court
871 A.2d 911 (2005)
Facts
Lee Martin (Martin) (defendant) hosted a high school graduation party in honor of her daughter. Most of the guests were between the ages of 17 and 20. Two kegs of beer were available to the guests. Brian Martin (Brian) (plaintiff) and Matthew Marciano (defendant) were among the party guests. A fight broke out between Marciano and some of Brian’s friends. Marciano left the party but returned with his friend Chijoke Okere (defendant), who was carrying a baseball bat supplied by Marciano. Okere attacked Brian with the bat. Brian sued Martin, Okere, and Marciano for the brain damage he suffered as a result of the attack. The court granted Martin’s motion for summary judgment, finding that Martin did not owe a duty to Brian to protect him from Okere’s unforeseeable attack. Brian appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Williams, C.J.)
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