Parents of Auburn Grad File Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The parents of a recent Auburn University graduate, who police claim was fatally shot by her boyfriend’s father, have initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against him and an unnamed gun manufacturer, as outlined in court documents.

Whitney Robson, 22, originally from Richmond, Virginia, tragically lost her life on March 7, reportedly due to a gunshot wound that struck her upper chest. She was declared dead about an hour later at the hospital.

Initially, authorities categorized the shooting as an accident, with the coroner’s preliminary conclusion being the same based on available information at the time. The defense attorney, Johnny Amari, referred to the incident as a “tragic” and “terrible accident.”

Jeffrey Towers, 54, the father of Robson’s boyfriend, has been arrested on manslaughter charges roughly two months after the shooting in Trussville, Alabama, about 25 miles from Birmingham.

“Innocent until proven guilty is not just a sacred provision, it is a legal standard,” stated Amari, Towers’ criminal defense attorney. “Our position is that he is not guilty of the crimes he is charged with.”

Towers has yet to enter a plea and is out on a $30,000 bail, the maximum for a Class B felony like manslaughter, with a court appearance scheduled for July 22.

While addressing the situation, Amari emphasized that it doesn’t diminish the reality of a life lost: “This girl was special to my client and special to her family.”

Robson was dating Brandon Towers, Jeffrey’s son, at the time of her death. Just weeks before the tragic incident, she had secured a job in interior design at RH, formerly Restoration Hardware.

Amari made it clear that their role as defense attorneys does not negate the loss experienced by Robson’s family. “We believe that even if there is a mistake, the public has a right to criminal defense,” he remarked, highlighting the need for a demanding case from the prosecution.

As per the complaint, Towers was in the attic of his home with Brandon and Robson when they were showcasing a collection of antique firearms. He was handling a .22 caliber revolver when a shot was discharged, fatally hitting Robson in her heart and lung.

The suit alleges that Towers was negligent in his handling of the firearm and claims that the gun’s design was defective, rendering it unsuitable for safe use. It criticizes the manner in which Towers managed the weapon, implying he exhibited a reckless disregard for safety by not verifying if the gun was loaded.

While the gun manufacturer remains unnamed, the lawsuit mentions 14 unknown co-defendants that could be revealed later under Alabama law.

Whitney’s parents, Karyn and Matthew Robson, argue that the firearm’s design was faulty and lacked safety features that could have prevented the tragic incident. “This matter centers around the unnecessary death of a young woman whose life was taken too soon,” said her lawyer, Andrew Mauk, in a statement. He added that justice and accountability are paramount to the family, although they haven’t specified a monetary claim.

Robson’s family shared that she had harbored dreams of being an interior designer since childhood, inspired by an HGTV show. After graduating with honors from Auburn’s program, she began her career as a trade consultant at RH.