Family of late Charlotte County Deputy Christopher Taylor files wrongful death suit

Reporter: Gail Levy Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:
Charlotte County Deputy Christopher Taylor.

Cassandra Smith, accused in the death of Charlotte County Deputy Christopher Taylor, last Nov. now faces a civil suit in addition to the previous criminal charges.

Taylor’s family filed a civil suit against Smith charging her with wrongful death. The family is asking for $50,000 in damages.

“He was a superb deputy, who always asked how he could do a better job,” Taylor’s father’s attorney, Carlos Cavenago said.

23-year-old Christopher Taylor was committed to doing better. Likewise, Cavenago is committed to mending Taylor’s family to cope and heal.

On the long journey to healing, compensation is a start.

“This lawsuit basically stands to try and correct or wrong as much as possible. You can’t bring Christopher back,” Cavenago said. “And if a Young Deputy can be killed by a drunk driver, anybody can.”

The lawsuit asks for damages that exceed $50,000. The money would go to Richard and Karen, Taylor’s parents.

It would have been simple for Cavenago to say the family is doing great when WINK News asked Cavenago how the family is managing on Tuesday, instead, he answered from the heart.

“They’re making it day by day. Luckily, they have the law enforcement community that still continues to reach out to them,” Cavenago said.

Cavenago reiterated the goal of the civil lawsuit is not money. Rather, it’s to ensure another family doesn’t feel the same pain they do.

“If a young deputy with his lights flashing can be made a victim of a drunk driver, anybody on the roadways can be killed. And it’s about high time we as a society, work harder to put an end to drunk driving. That’s one thing my client wanted me to convey. And it’s my honor to convey that to you,” Cavenago said.

Cavenago explained the next step is for Smith to be served official papers at the Charlotte County Jail.

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