Closing arguments clash over New Hampshire liability in lawsuit stemming from youth center abuse

(2 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
POOL
Brentwood, New Hampshire - 2 May 2024
1. A state attorney speaks during closing arguments
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Martha Gaythwaite, Attorney Representing New Hampshire:
++PARTIALLY COVERED++
"Anyone who has committed a crime is to be brought to justice. But folks, this is not a criminal case. The people who Mr. Meehan claims abused him are not defendants in this lawsuit. I do not represent them. I represent the Department of Health and Human Services. And this is a case for money damages."
3. The judge addresses the court during closing arguments
4. An attorney for plaintiff David Meehan addresses the court
5. SOUNDBITE (English) David Vicinanzo, Attorney Representing Plaintiff David Meehan:
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"The state has the obligat ... the fiduciary duty to create a safe environment for these kids. To protect them. To affirmatively take care of them. And they dare to say 'oh, not our fault.'"
6. View of Meehan’s back during closing arguments
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brentwood, New Hampshire - 2 May 2024
7. Various of the exterior of the Rockingham County Superior Court building
POOL
Brentwood, New Hampshire - 2 May 2024
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Martha Gaythwaite, Attorney Representing New Hampshire:
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"There is no actual evidence that anyone ever reported to my client, the leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services, any allegation concerning Mr. Meehan that was not investigated. So there's no evidence that my client breached any duty to Mr. Meehan."
9. Attorneys discuss details of the jury instruction form
10. SOUNDBITE (English) David Vicinanzo, Attorney Representing Plaintiff David Meehan:
++COVERED++
"At least by this ... at least the conservative estimate here is that he was raped about 200 times."
11. David Meehan in court
12. SOUNDBITE (English) David Vicinanzo, Attorney Representing Plaintiff David Meehan:
"By the arguments that you heard, in my view, you can ... you're within your rights to find they still don't get it. They don't understand the power they have. And they don't understand how they abused their power. And they don't care."
13. Wide of the courtroom
STORYLINE:
Jurors have heard closing arguments in a landmark case seeking to hold the state of New Hampshire accountable for abuse at its youth detention center.
David Meehan sued the state in 2020 alleging he was brutally beaten and raped at the Youth Development Center in the 1990s.
Since then, 11 former state workers have been arrested. More than 1,100 other former residents have also filed lawsuits alleging abuse spanning six decades.
Meehan's lawyer told jurors Thursday that the state’s clear negligence encouraged pervasive brutality and suggested Meehan deserves at least $200 million.
The state's attorney says there was no culture of abuse and that the case relied on speculation.
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[@bobgatti3854]

The state is liable, period. The state has always defended state abusers. There is literally a pattern of abuse in every single state center or school. Every one of them have been sued and lost for their absolutely horrid conditions