Dunn Family Awarded $41.5 Million in Civil Suit

MARSHALL — More details come out in the case of Kari Hunt Dunn, stabbed to death by her estranged husband in a Marshall hotel in 2013. Her then 9-year-old daughter Brianna tried to call 911 but couldn’t get a direct line. Dunn’s family won $41.5 million Friday in a lawsuit, to be paid by the former husband, who’s serving life, and the hotel chain, OM Lodging. According to family attorney Casey Carlisle, the hotel is 20% responsible, the husband the rest. Carlisle adds that it’s vindication for Brianna. He says when she asked hotel employees to help her, but they couldn’t speak English, the hotel should have come to her aid. Carlisle says the case will be appealed but the family expects to recover some of the money. The case led to Kari’s Law, mandating phones in businesses allow for direct 911 dialing.