A woman has initiated legal proceedings against a senior living community in Montgomery County, Maryland, along with a former employee now facing charges for the alleged murder of a wealthy philanthropist within their apartment.
On Valentine’s Day morning, a woman awoke to a shocking scene: her partner, whom she had known for four decades, was discovered lifeless in their blood-stained bedding at a senior living facility in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Robert Fuller Jr. was found by a caregiver after having been shot in the head at the Cogir of Potomac senior living center on February 14.
Linda Buttrick filed a lawsuit on Thursday against both the facility and a former medication technician accused of killing the millionaire philanthropist.
The lawsuit, which spans 59 pages, contends that Cogir neglected to take action when employees reported troubling behaviors exhibited by Maurquise James, ultimately failing to ensure Buttrick’s safety after the tragic incident.
According to legal documents, James’ mother, who held a senior director position at Cogir, allegedly used her influence to minimize complaints and discipline workers who reported issues regarding her son.
James was arrested on February 24 and has been charged with first-degree murder in relation to the death of the 87-year-old Fuller. He faces additional charges, including attempted first-degree murder involving a Maryland State Police trooper, which arose during a traffic stop that occurred the same day. More on those charges can be found here.
Buttrick’s legal representatives, along with her daughter, are optimistic that this lawsuit will prompt others with information to step forward.
“We have no idea how this could have happened,” stated Suzanne Caron, Buttrick’s daughter. “We entrusted our family to the care of this facility and its employees, and we have now sought some help to find answers. We’ve suffered an immeasurable loss, and the trauma is ongoing, and we need to know why and how.”
The lawsuit was presented by SBWD Law, with attorneys Michael Belsky and Catherine Dickinson filing the complaint on Thursday in Baltimore County.
“What we don’t understand and what we don’t know is how it was able to institutionally happen,” Belsky said during a press conference on Friday. “How a nursing home, as alleged in the complaint, was able to turn a blind eye to complaints set forth by employees at the facility.”
A representative from Cogir stated that the facility is cooperating fully with authorities in their ongoing investigation and refrained from providing further details.
“Out of respect for those involved, and to preserve the integrity of the investigation, we cannot share any additional details,” the spokesperson mentioned in an email.
Allegations of Misconduct Against James
Eleven days prior to the shooting, a nurse lodged a formal complaint alleging that James had sexually harassed another employee in October and had displayed hostility toward her for reporting the incident.
“Since then, Maurquise has been allowed to work while under the influence, has acted erratically, and has pre-poured medication — a violation for which another employee was fired,” the letter states, as cited in the lawsuit.
Notably, the nurse who accused James was terminated from her position, while the lawsuit claims that James faced no disciplinary action for his reported misconduct.
Concerns Regarding Medication Practices
On the night before the tragic incident, James had hand-fed Buttrick her medication mixed with applesauce inside their apartment — which costs approximately $20,000 per month. Following this, about twenty minutes later, he returned to inquire if the oxycodone had taken effect, a question Buttrick found peculiar.
It is her belief that James may have deliberately administered an excessive dosage of medication. Despite sleeping in a room adjacent to Fuller’s, the sound of the gunshot did not awaken her.
The morning after the shooting, Buttrick flagged James as a potential suspect to authorities. Surveillance footage released by police also recognized James, yet the complaint asserts he was permitted to continue working without restriction.
“That room was essentially a crime scene, and for days and weeks following the murder, he continued to be her medication technician, despite being identified as a person of interest,” Belsky noted.
After Fuller’s death, Buttrick requested that the locks to her apartment be changed; however, the facility delayed this action for over a week, as indicated in the lawsuit. Throughout this period, the complaint alleges that no enhanced security was provided to Buttrick.
Furthermore, the lawsuit highlights safety concerns at the facility, noting that a door was reportedly left propped open for weeks, allowing access for James both on the night of the shooting and again on February 23 before his arrest.
The Impact of the Incident on Buttrick
After living independently for 14 years, Buttrick relocated from Maine to Montgomery County in 2023 to be with Fuller.
“My mother moved here in December of 2023, but we’ve known Mr. Fuller since I was a little girl,” remarked Caron, her daughter. “He’s been a family friend throughout my life.”
Both Fuller and Buttrick had previously experienced the loss of spouses to illness.
“Buttrick moved from Maine to Rockville to be with the man that she loved,” Belsky commented. “She uprooted her life.”
The two had shared a long-standing friendship. According to the lawsuit, Fuller funded renovations to merge two apartments so they could share living space.
“They decided they did not want to be alone, and they did not want to be without each other. Mr. Fuller asked Ms. Buttrick to come to Potomac, and he promised he would take care of her,” the complaint details.
Both individuals had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and enjoyed activities together, such as playing bingo, as outlined in the legal documents.
In the aftermath of Fuller’s death, Buttrick experienced significant anxiety, leading to physical symptoms like shaking and a racing heart, the lawsuit states.
The legal action claims that Fuller’s murder has inflicted psychological and emotional distress on Buttrick, resulting in substantial financial costs. She is no longer residing at the senior living community.
Fuller had a notable career, serving as Maine’s assistant attorney general in the late 1960s and later founding his own law firm. In retirement, he generously contributed to causes including a shelter for female veterans, a children’s reading room, and the renovation of a school’s athletic field, according to the lawsuit.
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