Lawyers for Marriott Hotel & Spa in Stamford are denying that they are behind a controversial legal defense claiming a woman’s negligence led to her rape in the hotel’s garage in 2006.
Hotel lawyers said they requested that the claim in the case regarding the 2006 assault be withdrawn weeks ago, Greenwich Time reports.
“From its inception, the legal case involving this tragic incident has been handled by the insurance company and its lawyers under the terms of the hotel's insurance policy, as is customary where an insurance company bears the risk of loss," Stamford attorney Marc Kurzman said in a statement from the hotel. "Interestingly enough, when we recently learned of this defense, we requested that it be withdrawn."
“We wish to convey our respect and sympathy for Ms. Doe and her family, who were the victims of a horrendous crime in 2006,” the Stamford Marriott said in a statement. “Marriott is profoundly sorry that such a terrible thing happened to the victim of this violent crime. And unfortunately this situation has created a mistaken impression that Marriott lacks respect and concern for Ms. Doe or other victims of violent crime.”
The hotel spokesperson said they could not otherwise comment on the story out of respect for the privacy of the victim and pending litigation.
Gary Fricker assaulted the woman in her minivan in the hotel's parking garage in front of her two children, then 3 and 5, in 2006, prosecutors said. He also threatened to sexually assault one of her children, the Stamford Advocate reports, citing court documents.
Fricker, a transient carpenter who had been arrested 20 times, is serving 20 years in prison for the 2006 attack
The attorney for Marriott filed the claims in response to a lawsuit brought against the hotel by the woman.
