Khalil Cooke motion to dismiss
The legal battle over the tragic death of Shanquella Robinson continues to intensify as her family fights to keep their lawsuit in the United States, while another defendant—Shanquella’s best friend, Khalil Cooke—moves to have the case dismissed.
Sallamondra Robinson, Shanquella’s mother, plaintiff in the case, has filed a response to the motion by defendants Alysse Hyatt and Wenter Donovan, who seek to have the case dismissed on the grounds of improper venue. The lawsuit names multiple defendants, including DaeJhanae Jackson aka E’Mani Green, Alysse Hyatt, Malik Dyer, Wenter Donovan, Nazeer Tyree Wiggins, and Khalil Cooke, individuals who were with Shanquella in Cabo, Mexico, at the time of her tragic death, as well as the U.S. Department of State and the FBI.
The defendants argue that Mexico would be the appropriate jurisdiction for this case, as the fatal events occurred there. However, Robinson’s legal team firmly disputes this claim, emphasizing that while the initial attack on Shanquella Robinson took place in Mexico, the defendants fled back to North Carolina news, where they allegedly conspired to conceal evidence and mislead authorities.
“The balance of private and public interest factors weigh in favor of this Court denying Defendants’ motion,” the plaintiff’s memorandum states, referencing legal precedents that stress the importance of convenience and justice for the victims. The document argues that the United States—where the defendants reside and where key evidence is accessible—is the only appropriate forum for this lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, the so-called “Cabo Six” defendants—including Hyatt and Donovan—not only witnessed but also participated in covering up the crime. The suit alleges that they returned to North Carolina, worked to suppress evidence, and even circulated a viral video of the attack, further traumatizing the Robinson family.
The plaintiff asserts that forcing this case into a Mexican court would further delay justice and limit access to key evidence. The memorandum highlights that critical communications, medical records, and social media data are all based in the U.S.
Meanwhile, another defendant, Khalil Cooke motion to dismiss, has officially moved to dismiss the case against him, claiming that the United States is not the appropriate venue for the lawsuit. The motion, filed Friday, March 14, in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, argues that the case should be adjudicated in Mexico, where the events leading to Robinson’s death took place.
Cooke contends that the doctrine of forum non conveniens applies, which allows courts to dismiss a case if another jurisdiction is deemed more appropriate and convenient for litigation. His motion cites the Supreme Court case Sinochem International Co. v. Malaysia International Shipping Corp., which states that a case may be dismissed when a foreign court is better suited to resolve the dispute.
Cooke’s attorneys argue that key witnesses and evidence—such as medical personnel, hotel staff, and law enforcement officials—are located in Mexico, making it difficult for a U.S. court to properly assess the facts. According to the motion, Cooke was merely a bystander during the altercation in Cabo on October 29, 2022, and did not participate in any way.
The motion also claims that Cooke would not have a fair opportunity to present his defense if the case is tried in the United States, as he cannot compel witnesses in Mexico to testify.
With both the plaintiff’s response to Hyatt and Donovan’s dismissal motion and Cooke’s motion now before the court, the next step is for the judge to determine whether the case will remain in it’s current forum or if any defendants will be dismissed due to jurisdictional concerns.
