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Man Who Helped Target Stabbing Victim Retains Lawyer After Target Files Lawsuit

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- After staging a one-man protest, the man who sees himself as a hero in the Target stabbing case now has a lawyer.

Michael Turner attended just about every court proceeding involving Leon Walls, who is the man found guilty but mentally ill in the stabbing of Allison Meadows at the East Liberty Target store.

The family of Allison Meadows is suing Target, claiming they had inadequate security when Leon Walls stabbed her.

Turner stepped in that day and tried to stop Walls from doing further injury to her.

But Target is suing Turner and others claiming they brought an outside altercation with Walls, just prior to the stabbing, into the store and that none of it would have happened except for that altercation.

Attorney Todd Hollis says he will represent Turner.

"Target should be ashamed of themselves," says Hollis. "Here, this gentleman acts courageously to save the life of a young lady who can't protect herself. Target doesn't have adequate security in the building and this man risks his life, and instead of a thank you, he gets slapped with a lawsuit. Mr. Turner can't afford a lawsuit, and I can't afford to turn my back on Mr. Turner."

An attorney for the victim's family accused Target of trying to blame someone else for what happened under their own roof and he said her family was glad Turner was there to help.

Hollis says he can't speak to the store motive, but rejects the outside altercation argument.

"The public policy that they're eliciting as a result of their actions is reprehensible," says Hollis. "What they're actually saying is for any bystander who attempts to help another that you subject yourself to being sued."

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