A Massachusetts federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Bally's Twin River Casino, ruling the casino had no duty of care to a patron who was robbed and beaten 50 miles from the premises.

Edward Peduto was attacked at a North Lexington service station in August 2021 after being followed from the Lincoln, R.I. casino. The assault left him with "severe and permanent" injuries and over $46,000 in medical bills.

Security footage showed the attackers following Peduto inside the casino and into the parking lot before tailing him by car. The plaintiff's lawyers argued that Bally's failed to properly monitor and secure the premises, citing eight similar robberies and 76 violent incidents near the casino between January 2019 and the attack.

Judge Allison D. Burroughs ruled that since the attackers weren't engaging in illegal activity while at the casino, and the assault occurred 50 miles away, the casino had no reasonable ability to foresee or prevent the harm. The security cameras merely captured the suspects leaving at the same time as Peduto.

"The facts of the attack, while regrettable, are far removed from the rare circumstances under which Massachusetts courts have found that owners owed patrons a duty of care to prevent third-party criminal conduct," Burroughs wrote in her dismissal.

The case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.

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