Dollar Tree Now Will Pay Compensation for Taneka Talley

I wrote about a Family Dollar Tree in my area where an employee was slain (in store) and denied survivor benefits. (Story here). Talley was stabbed to death March 29, 2006, while stocking shelves at the store on North Texas Street in Fairfield, where she worked full time as a clerk to support herself and Larry(her 11 year old son).Tommy Joe Thompson, 45, of West Sacramento was arrested later that day and has been charged with murder in her death.

At the March 2007 hearing on Thompson's mental competency to stand trial, a defense psychiatrist, Herb McGrew, testified that Thompson had told him he stabbed Talley because she was black. Thompson is white. The company stated that they denied the claim (survivor benefits) because he stabbed Ms Talley for personal reasons.

If you google Taneka Talley's name, you will see the outrage that this decision has created. I want to thank Regina Family Seasons for linking onto this story. I feel it was indeed the collective voice of the people, that helped get the judgment for Taneka's family.

Last monday Timothy Reid, Dollar Tree's vice president for investor relations, said the company had offered to pay "the full workers' compensation benefit permitted under California law."

It is sad that there has to be public outcry just to get justice served. The power of the people is an awesome thing.