A Russell County jury has awarded $1.17 million to the estate of Muriel Battle, an 85-year-old regular shopper, after she was injured in an incident at Phenix City Piggly Wiggly grocery store #425, located at 1130 Highway 280 Bypass. The award was granted on July 23, 2025.
Wiggly store No. 425 on U.S. Highway 280 when two store managers confronted Davis Key, a suspected shoplifter, for concealing approximately $100 worth of meat in his pants. As they blocked Key behind Battle, she found herself involuntarily trapped, with her cart obstructing her escape. Key then pushed her forcefully in an attempt to flee, causing her to fall and strike her head on the hard floor.
Prior to the incident, Battle had led a vibrant, independent life—actively involved in her community, visiting shut‑ins, and regularly attending church. After being injured, she endured chronic, daily migraines, dizziness, post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and night terrors that severely impacted her quality of life. Despite these life‑altering symptoms, she passed away four years later in 2022; her death was linked to dementia and other unrelated health conditions, not the injuries from the store incident…