A Richardson mother’s civil case against a convenience store that unlawfully provided alcohol to her teenage son just before he died in an automobile accident was dismissed by a Dallas County jury.
The mother is currently working to pass a measure in the state assembly requiring the use of electronic ID readers by all alcohol outlets.
The darkest reminder of her son Deshawn is in a box that Charlotte Stephens still keeps with her.
In 2022, officials discovered empty alcohol bottles among other items in the wreckage of the 18-year-old’s vehicle.
The Dallas convenience shop was sued by Deshawn’s mother for selling alcohol to a juvenile after he passed away. This week, the case was presented to the jury.
Stephens stated, “Had he been carded, ID’d, I’d have my son today.”
Stephens and her lawyers contended that Deshawn’s case should be subject to the same regulations that hold servers and bartenders responsible for the conduct of an intoxicated driver.
The jury disagreed, nevertheless, as that legislation necessitates proof that the client is already drunk.
“You have to be visibly intoxicated to the clerk,” Stephens stated. “I’m very disappointed.”
Currently, Stephens is refocusing her efforts to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors by collaborating with State Senator Royce West on a bill that would mandate the use of electronic ID readers by all businesses.
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She feels that this would have avoided the murder of her son.
“It needs to be in all stores, and there has to be an implementation policy that makes the clerk scan the ID, just scan the ID. You scan ID when you go through TSA,” Stephens stated.
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Stephens wants her son to be remembered not just for clutch baskets that helped Woodrow Wilson’s basketball team win games, but also as someone whose untimely death will lead to necessary change that safeguards others from the same fate.
Stephens wants her son to be remembered not only for his clutch shots, but also for his terrible death early.
“I think I’m saving my grandkids, and I’m saving yours,” she stated.
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