A Mother’s Fight for Justice: Former Florida State Senator Daphne Campbell Awarded $100M After Son’s Tragic Death

For former Florida State Senator Daphne Campbell, July 2025 marks not just another month on the calendar, but a painful reminder of the day she lost her son in the most unimaginable way — and the justice she spent years fighting for.

The Night Everything Changed

It was a quiet night in October 2021 when Jason Campbell, just 23 years old, parked his car at the Monte Carlo Condominium complex in the Biscayne Gardens area of Miami-Dade County. Exhausted, he fell asleep in his vehicle — unaware that it would be the last thing he ever did.

That night, an unauthorized individual — who had been allowed into the secured premises by a resident — shot and killed Jason as he slept.

His family was devastated. “Jason was kind, smart, full of promise,” his mother, Daphne Campbell, recalled tearfully. “He was studying, working, and staying out of trouble. He just happened to be in the wrong place, but it shouldn’t have been wrong at all — it was supposed to be safe.”

A Fight No Parent Should Ever Have to Wage

After grieving privately, the Campbells took action publicly. They filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the condo’s security firm (EMS Protective Group), its management company (Akam & Associates), the Monte Carlo Condominium Association, and the tenant who allegedly allowed the shooter into the property.

According to the lawsuit, the defendants failed on multiple levels:

• Security cameras weren’t functioning properly.

• Access protocols were either ignored or unenforced.

• No guards were on-site to intervene or prevent entry.

For Daphne and her husband, Hubert Campbell, the message was clear: this wasn’t just a crime — it was a systemic failure.

A Landmark Verdict

On July 15, 2025, after years of hearings, depositions, and gut-wrenching testimonies, a Miami-Dade jury sided with the Campbells. They awarded the family an astonishing $100 million in damages.

The breakdown of fault was telling:

• Akam & Associates – 57%

• Monte Carlo Condominium Association – 18%

• EMS Protective Group – 18%

• The tenant – 7%

This wasn’t just about money. It was about accountability.

A Mother’s Words Ring Out

“Nothing will bring my son back,” Daphne said outside the courtroom, holding back tears. “But maybe, just maybe, this verdict will force people to take security seriously. No family should ever get that 2 a.m. knock on the door telling them their child is gone.”

Her voice cracked. Her pain was raw. But she stood tall — a grieving mother, a former legislator, and now, a voice for change.

The Bigger Picture

This case is likely to reverberate throughout Florida’s property management and security industries. Condo associations and management firms are now on notice: lax security can cost lives — and millions of dollars.

Lawyers say this is one of the largest wrongful death verdicts ever seen in Miami-Dade. It also raises questions about how properties vet visitors, enforce access control, and maintain their surveillance systems.

For many in Florida living in gated communities or condominiums, Jason’s story hits home.

Where the Campbells Go From Here

The legal journey may not be over. The defendants could still appeal or try to reduce the award. But the Campbells say they’re committed to pushing for statewide reforms, including:

• Mandatory guard presence in large condo complexes

• Regular security audits

• Transparent access logs and visitor tracking systems

“It’s too late for Jason,” Daphne said quietly. “But it’s not too late for someone else’s child.”