A Caldwell County Circuit Court jury has awarded more than $19 million dollars in damages to the Estate of Grant Beckner, who was stabbed to death during an altercation outside the Princeton Elks Lodge in April of 2017.
A Livingston County Circuit Court jury sentenced Joseph “Joey” Anderson to 15 years in prison in October of 2018 after he was found guilty on one count of manslaughter, instead of a murder charge which was also an option, in the death of Beckner.
Princeton Police said Anderson and Beckner started arguing inside the Princeton Elks Lodge and then moved to the parking lot where Anderson fatally stabbed Beckner.
Following the seven-day civil trial that ended on September 28, the jury voted on six instructions, needing only a majority vote as opposed to a criminal verdict that requires a unanimous vote.
Nine of the twelve jurors agreed that the Princeton Elks Lodge #1115 failed to comply with one or more of its duties and that such failure was a substantial factor in causing injury to Grant Beckner.
All 12 jurors agreed that there was evidence that Beckner was at fault and that was a substantial factor in causing injury to him.
However, nine of the 12 jurors found the Elks Lodge more at fault while 30% found Beckner to be more at fault.
The jury awarded $850,000 for damages associated with pain and suffering; $500,000 for damages for loss of future earning power, and $18 million for punitive damages.
