Jury Exonerates Entergy, Property Owner in 2019 Scotlandville Apartment Fire That Claimed Woman’s Life
Despite the powerful testimonies of 16 witnesses, investigators classified the fire’s cause as "undetermined," leaving several possible sources of ignition unresolved.
BATON ROUGE, La. — In a dramatic turn late Friday night, a Baton Rouge jury exonerated Entergy and a property owner of any responsibility in a devastating 2019 Scotlandville apartment fire that tragically took the life of Maggie Powell. The 9-3 verdict came after an intense five-day trial marked by emotional testimonies and fierce legal arguments.
The fire broke out on February 20, 2019, in an apartment on Elmer Avenue, where Powell was fatally burned while in the bathtub. Her husband, John Johnson, was also severely injured and rushed to the hospital with burn injuries. The family, including Johnson’s stepchildren and mother-in-law, had lived in the Scotlandville apartment for three decades.
Johnson’s lawsuit accused Entergy of gross negligence, alleging that the company was fully aware of dangerously faulty electrical wiring in the unit but failed to cut off the electricity to prevent a disaster. Powell had reportedly raised concerns multiple times with both Entergy and the property owner about the persistent electrical issues. Attorneys further highlighted that code violations were discovered at the scene in the fire's aftermath.
Despite the powerful testimonies of 16 witnesses, investigators classified the fire’s cause as "undetermined," leaving several possible sources of ignition unresolved. In a swift decision, the jury took less than 90 minutes to deliver the verdict, clearing both Entergy and the property owner of any liability in the 2019 Scotlandville tragedy.
