Victim's parents sue motel for $100 million

KNOXVILLE, TENN. - The parents of a former Waterloo homecoming queen killed at a Knoxville, Tenn., motel in September have filed a lawsuit seeking $100 million from the inn, the Days Inn Corp. and its parent companies.

Police say Jennifer Lee Hampton, 21, was strangled to death Sept. 21 by an employee at the motel. The motel has since changed its franchise from Days Inn to AmeriStay Hotel and Suites.

Hampton's nude body was discovered a week later in Melton Hill Lake, about six miles from the motel.

She was staying at the Days Inn while helping train employees at a Mama Blues Buffet, which was opening a new restaurant in Knoxville. Hampton was a waitress at the Mama Blues restaurant in Florence.

Valentino Vasquez Miranda, 19, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death and is being held in the Knox County Jail without bond.

Prosecutors contend that Miranda, a native of Mexico who was in the United States without proper immigration papers, used a master key to enter Hampton's motel room. Once inside, he is accused of sexually assaulting, beating and ultimately killing her. Police say he also carried her body to the lake and dumped it.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Knox County Circuit Court by Cynthia Senn and Michael Peeden, of Florence, the victim's parents.

The suit accuses the defendants of being negligent for hiring illegal immigrants without performing background investigations and for allowing them to have master keys to patrons' rooms. It also accuses representatives of the Knoxville motel of lying to police after another attack was reported at the motel in April.

The lawsuit states that on or about April 20, 2008, a man used a master key to enter a female patron's room during the early morning hours and assaulted and attempted to rape her.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs state that a motel manager told police after the reported attack that only she and the people renting rooms had keys.

"The defendants willfully and recklessly failed and refused to secure master keys to the patrons' rooms after the incident of April 20, 2008," the lawsuit states.

At a preliminary hearing in October, Rosa Rodriguez Hernandez, Miranda's girlfriend who lived with him and worked at the motel, testified they kept a master key that allowed them to open the door to any room.

Hernandez said she and Miranda were housekeepers at the motel.

At the hearing, prosecutors said DNA evidence linking Miranda to the attack was found under Hampton's fingernails and in her clothing that was found at the motel.

Assistant District Attorney General Phil Morton said that Hampton's blood was found on Miranda's clothing.

Miranda's attorney, Joseph Fanduzz, of Knoxville, said after the hearing that Miranda maintains he is innocent.

The lawsuit lists Turkey Creek Hospitality Inc., Days Inn/Lovell Road, Days Inn Worldwide Inc., Wyndham Worldwide Operations Inc., and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts LLC as defendants.

Hampton's parents seek $25 million in compensatory and $75 million in punitive damages.

A court date to hear the suit has not been set.

Christine DaSilva, director of media relations for Wyndham Hotel Group, said the motel where Hampton was killed has not been a part of the Days Inn system since Oct. 2, less than a week after she was killed.

She said the company has a policy not to comment on pending litigation, but said "this is a tragic incident and we offer our deepest sympathies to the victim's family."

Nick Patel, manager of the Knoxville motel where police say Hampton was killed, could not be reached for comment. His attorney, Rocky King, of Knoxville, did not return a phone call seeking reaction to the lawsuit.

Knoxville attorney Eddie Daniel represents Senn and Florence attorney Martin Newell represents Peeden.

Newell said the suit will move through the court system independently of the criminal charges against Miranda.

Miranda has been formally charged but not indicted. Courthouse officials say they expect a Knox grand jury to hear evidence against Miranda in early 2009.

Daniel said he hopes the lawsuit also will be heard in court early next year.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@TimesDaily.com.