Nick Gordon ruling ‘without merit’
Nick Gordon’s former lawyer says the ruling that he is "legally responsible" for the death of Bobbi Kristina Brown is "without merit".
Last week a judge ruled that Nick is legally responsible for the death of his late fiancée – who tragically passed away in 2015, six months after being found unresponsive in her bathtub – but Randy Kessler believes that because the decision was made based on Nick’s failure to show at two civil wrongful death hearings, it should not stand.
He told PEOPLE: "As I understand it – and I am not representing [Gordon] – he did not have a lawyer for this civil case and because he failed to respond or to appear, the court simply granted Plaintiff’s requests to assess liability.
"To me, that does not establish that he did anything wrong. It is not a decision on the merits."
Speaking outside of court, R. David Ware, a lawyer for the conservator of Bobbi Kristina’s estate, said: "We finally finished a long journey for justice for Bobbi Kristina Brown. The court agrees with us, by striking Mr. Gordon’s answer that he is legally responsible for her death. The only thing left to prove is the value of her life. We intend to do that … It’s not a criminal case but it doesn’t have to be. We want to legally establish he was responsible for her injuries the proceeded her death and we’ve done that today."
Bobbi Kristina’s aunt Leolah Brown added: "It’s been a long time. They should have gotten him. He should have been arrested. I’m angry. I’m angry because I want to see some justice. Something has to happen and it has to happen soon."
The decision comes after Nick claimed 22-year-old Bobbi Kristina’s death was her own fault.
A jury will now decide what amount of damages Nick will pay the conservator. The Brown estate had filed a lawsuit for $50 million in damages.
