Live Nation failed to make the court dismiss the lawsuits filed against it following Drakeo the Ruler's death.
The attendees of the Once Upon A Time in L.A. concert in December 2021 witnessed the fatal attack on Drakeo the Ruler, whose real name was Darrell Caldwell. Live Nation, the event organizer, had since filed documents insisting that the case should not proceed.
But on Wednesday, a Los Angeles Judge dismissed its request and sided with the rapper's brother, Devante Caldwell, and several members of the Stinc Team rap collective. The ruling said Devante does not have to prove a "similar attack" happened at the venue before the deadly incident.
With that, the negligence, premises liability, and emotional distress claim he and others filed against Live Nation and other defendants will proceed.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Yolanda Orozco wrote in her ruling that defendants might be held liable once the facts ultimately show that the "danger was foreseeable and/or preventable" in the first place. The judge added that Live Nation knew security would be needed in the area to ensure the artists' safety since the organizer was aware of such concerns.
"Plaintiffs also point out that even if the mob/gang attack was not foreseeable, defendants owed an affirmative duty to act and stop the attack once the attack began, yet no one intervened to stop the attack," Judge Orozco continued, upholding Devante's claims.
Live Nation has not reacted to the ruling yet.
Justice for Drakeo the Ruler Is "Closer," Says Lawyer
Following the release of the ruling, Devante's representative commented on it and assured everyone that justice would soon be served.
"The ruling represents the court's recognition of Live Nation's and the other defendants' role in the injustice suffered by Drakeo, his family, and friends," Caldwell's lawyer Jovan Blacknell told Rolling Stone. "We are one step closer to providing justice and closure to this horrific experience."
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Drakeo the Ruler was about to perform during the festival when he got stabbed following a fight backstage. The Los Angeles Police Department received a call regarding a man who was stabbed around 8:40 p.m.
The late rapper's entourage was also hurt during the mob attack, which lasted for about 15 minutes, and no venue security reportedly helped them out then.
According to Officer Orris, a source "with direct knowledge of the incident" confirmed that Drakeo the Ruler was the victim. He ultimately died due to the injuries he sustained.
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