Here's an Iced Mocha in Your Eye

Jessica Mathewson-Library Media Technical Asst.-jessica.mathewson@law.csuohio.edu | June 06, 2008 - 14:18

From the halls of justice in Portland, Oregon...

Latasha Curry was in court recently for allegedly tossing her Starbucks coffee beverage at one of its managers. The manager testified that Curry pitched the coffee at him, and lobbed whipped cream at another employee. Curry testified that she and the manager grabbed the cup of coffee at the same time, and when she let go, the manager spilled the coffee on himself. The prosecutor cross-examined Ms. Curry, asking,"Is it or is it not true that you flung the iced venti mocha with extra hazelnut and caramel at the defendant (sic) out of anger?"

The dispute arose when Ms. Curry purchased a coffee beverage and later called the store to complain that the drink was bitter. The employee told her they would be happy to replace the beverage. Two days later she went to back to get her replacement beverage and was accused by the manager of running a scam. According to the manager, Curry directed racial and homophobic epithets at him, besides throwing the coffee.

The judge found Curry not guilty of misdemeanor harassment. See Oregon Revised Code 166.065. According to this Knight-Ridder Tribune article on the BusinessWeek website, the prosecutor's office was criticized for bringing the case to trial. The prosecutor said he brought the case in part because Curry had a prior conviction for theft, and she is currently charged with harassment in another case.

Do you think the prosecutor was right to pursue this case?

Thanks to Above the Law.

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Here's an Iced Mocha in Your Eye

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