WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Father of Claybrooks brothers talks about decision to file lawsuit

Father of Claybrooks brothers talks about decision to file lawsuit

By Jackie Hays - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – Eleven months after his three sons died in a crash involving a stolen car, their father has filed a lawsuit against a Louisville youth club.

It was a day full of emotion as Marc Hampton addressed the media about why he decided to file the lawsuit on behalf of his three boys. He met with the media in the home he was restoring with his sons shortly before they were killed on the night of December 18, 2008.

That night, Marc Claybrooks, his brothers Demar and Jamar, and their friend Aaron Shields had attended a Youth Alive event at the Presbyterian Community Center on South Hancock and needed a ride home. A Youth Alive worker had them ride with 16-year-old Herbert Lee. Shortly after leaving the community center, Lee, who driving a stolen car, was stopped by Louisville Metro Police on South First Street, but fled from officers after stopping. He wrecked the stolen car about five blocks later killing the four boys instantly.

Although Hampton says he thinks Youth Alive was doing a good job in the community, he also said somebody's got to pay.

"I want to get paid for the mistake they made," said Hampton. "In my situation, I'd like to get paid where I can help Youth Alive, not where I can get a new car or anything like that. It's to fund another Youth Alive program."

Youth Alive, which shut its doors in June 2009, and its director, Kenny Boyd, are also facing federal lawsuits by insurance companies. The family of the Aaron Shields has not yet filed a lawsuit.

Lee, now 17, has been charged as an adult with four counts of murder. He is due back in court in February 2010.

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