Casino cleared in death

Tuesday, May 8, 2001 | 10:25 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the appeal of Ahiliya Lee, who sued MGM MIRAGE'S Golden Nugget in Las Vegas after her estranged husband choked to death at one of the casino's restaurants.

Bobby Lee Sturms was intoxicated and was eating at the Carson Street Cafe on March 27, 1995, when he became sick and passed out, according to court records.

Casino security personnel radioed the Las Vegas Fire Department and Golden Nugget officials obtained an oxygen tank and began CPR. They did not attempt mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Neither paramedics from the fire department nor staff at University Medical Center were able to clear Sturms' throat. He died at UMC.

In her lawsuit, Lee claimed the casino was negligent.

The court said the casino employees acted reasonably.

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