A North Carolina jury found the Charlotte Housing Authority negligent in the strangulation death of a retired nurse. While the Housing Authority did a North Carolina criminal records search, it failed to check the records of Maryland where the 46-year-oldoffender had been living. If they had, they would have found an extensive record for violent crimes and drug convictions. The jury award, less than the $10.4 million dollars that was sought, sends a strong message that slipshod background screening will not be tolerated.