In September 2012, more than two dozen survivors of the Aurora, Colo., shooting sued theater owner Cinemark for alleged security flaws that they believed helped enable the deadly attack. “I think they contributed to an environment where they didn’t have the deterrence or prevention necessary to protect the patrons in their theater,” said expert witness Gil Fried, a University of New Haven professor.
A six-person state jury determined in May that Cinemark was not to blame for the attack. And last week, a similar case in federal court—filed by a different group of victims—also ruled in favor of Cinemark, with a judge ordering that the company be “awarded reasonable costs.”
Out nearly $700,000 in legal fees, Cinemark is fighting back. The theater chain is now seeking $699,198 in legal fees from those who filed the failed lawsuits.
