Victim's Mother Wins Judgment Against Carruth and Co-Defendants

The mother of a woman gunned down while carrying the baby of former Carolina Panther Rae Carruth believes she will eventually see some or all of the $5.8 million she has won in a wrongful death lawsuit. But it's not likely to happen soon with Carruth and the three men convicted of conspiring to kill Cherica Adams in prison. Carruth and the co-defendants were ordered Wednesday to pay about $5.8 million in damages to Adams' estate. Cherica Adams was eight months pregnant with Carruth's child when she was shot in November 1999. Mecklenburg Superior Court Judge Yvonne Mims Evans awarded Adams' mother, Saundra Adams, all the monetary damages sought in the wrongful death lawsuit against Carruth and the three other men responsible for the fatal shooting. All four were found guilty in 2001 of conspiring in the Nov. 16, 1999 shooting. Cherica Adams died about a month later; the baby, named Chancellor, survived but has cerebral palsy. Carruth is serving at least 18 years in prison for his role in the murder. Van Brett Watkins and Michael Kennedy, also convicted for their roles in the slaying, are also in prison. The third co-defendant, Stanley Drew "Boss" Abraham, testified that he is unemployed. "I'm very pleased with the judgment," Saundra Adams said Wednesday. "It means when they get out of prison they will have to pay on this judgment. "They took my daughter's life. It's only fair that they have a monetary punishment as well as time in prison. I think this brings justice and closure for Cherica, Chancellor and me. "I may never see the whole $5.7 million. But I'm not saying that's impossible." Charlotte defense lawyer Chris Fialko, who represents Carruth, would not comment on the monetary award. On Thursday, Chancellor Adams will be publicly seen for the first time on "Oprah." Chancellor, almost 4, has cerebral palsy and is still not walking on his own, speaking or feeding himself. He will appear on the show, taped Oct. 1, with Saundra Adams, who has been raising him. Chancellor is introduced to viewers from his seat in the audience and does not appear onstage with Oprah Winfrey, said a Harpo Productions spokeswoman. Saundra Adams said she appeared on Oprah with Chancellor to raise awareness about domestic violence. "Domestic violence isn't limited to married couples," she said. "Single women, like my daughter, experience domestic violence too." Saundra Adams said Chancellor also is a victim of domestic violence. "He was developing normally until they ambushed and shot my daughter," she said. Saundra Adams said the boy is doing well but has challenges. "He is a happy baby in spite of the trauma he's gone through. He has a spirit much like that of his mom. He's so determined."