Recently filed cases in Southeast Texas include a possibly racist note left on the Starbucks order of a Black man, plus the murder of a British man in a Houston Airbnb.
Gregory Moore v. Starbucks Corporation
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Gregory Moore says he was a frequent customer at a Starbucks in Cypress and that staff there was aware he is a Black man. Still, a joke on a note left on his pickup order in January 2024 has led to a discrimination case against the coffee giant.
Moore said his cup had a note with the joke "What do you call two monkeys who share an Amazon account?" The answer is Prime Mates.
"Characterizing Black people as simians is within common knowledge an intentional and particularly dehumanizing racial slur," the complaint says. "Most Americans should immediately recognize the note on Mr. Moore's cu as intentionally racist and offensive.
"It most certainly would shock the conscience of all people and goodwill."
Starbucks staff didn't see it that way, leading Moore to file suit. His lawyer is Jack Urquhart of Houston.
Karina James, as personal representative of the estate of Almarn James Downes, v. Airbnb, et al.
Harris County District Court
Almarn Downes came to Houston from London for a vacation and to explore relocation possibilities, but he was shot and killed May 27 in an attempted burglary.
The suit blames Airbnb and property owner Martine for failing to use the 24-hour safety line and allowing about 25 individuals to be present at the property, which the suit says is located in a high-crime area.
The suit, filed by Osayuki Ogbeide, seeks more than $10 million. It does not appear anyone has been charged with Downes' murder.
Lillian Lavalais, as personal representative of the Estate of Devante Hulin, vs. Golden Pass LNG Terminal, et al.
Harris County District Court
Lillian Lavalais' son Devante Hulin died after a workplace accident and is seeking more than $1 million with her lawsuit.
Hulin was a contract rigger in October 2022 when he was part of a crew to use a crane to lift a 4,000-pound piece of iron at the Sabine Pass LNG facility in Louisiana. However, the iron fell off the crane and struck him, causing severe injuries.
The suit charges Golden Pass LNG Terminal, Chiyoda International and McDermott International with liability for his injuries. It does not allege Hulin died from his injuries but does claim gross negligence. Hulin died about a year later at the age of 31.
Hulin had sued Golden Pass LNG in June 2023, but this new lawsuit makes the plaintiff his estate.
Harris County vs. Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete
Harris County District Court
Smyrna's Baycrete concrete plant in Baytown is the focus of Harris County's lawsuit, which alleges it is operating in violation of several environmental laws.
The plant covers 18 acres and starting in 2020, Harris County Pollution Control Services began observing "significant issues that persist today" that can be read in the complaint.
It is alleged Smyrna constructed an auxiliary tank to store additional cement ash without submitting a new registration and failed to promptly clean up uncontained blast media and used oil spills.
Christopher Wennermark vs. DeWitt County, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Christopher Wennermark says a stint in the DeWitt County Jail led to medical problems like gangrene when his diabetes was left untreated.
Though he was given some insulin, Wennermark says he wasn't given appropriate amounts at correct times to correspond with meals. A wound on his foot started growing in late 2022 and early 2023, leading him to file a written grievance that he was being denied the ability to clean his cell and denied access to a doctor.
The seriousness of the resulting infection was impossible to ignore, he alleges, but staff gave him athlete's foot cream. The foot began to smell, the suit says.
It wasn't until March 2023 until he was allowed to see a podiatrist, who prescribed antibiotics that did not help, Wennermark says. He was released later that month, went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with gangrene, the suit says.