CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly attributed several quotes to Harvey Kennedy and Dan Hartzog, the attorneys representing the plaintiff and the defense.

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CHARLOTTE -- A jury on Tuesday found the Charlotte Housing Authority negligent in the death of one of its clients.

Kenneth Cyrus strangled 63-year-old Eva Green in January 2007 at the Charlottetown Terrace apartments. The plaintiffs argued the housing authority failed to protect Green by not doing a thorough background check into Cyrus' criminal and mental history.

"This jury verdict is an indictment on the Charlotte Housing Authority for failing to provide security to its tenants," Harvey Kennedy, the plaintiff's attorney, said.

Despite the guilty verdict, the jury only awarded the plaintiffs $132,000 in damages, less than 1 percent of the $10.5 million sought by attorneys.

"We were very surprised and disappointed with the amount," Kennedy said.

Members of the jury said there were significant differences in the amounts the jury wanted to award.

"We had some jurors who wanted to give more, some less,” Brian Henry, jury foreman, said. “One wanted to give $1."

The defense lost the verdict, but attorneys say the small dollar amount awarded to the plaintiffs show they won at least part of the argument.

“I don't look at it as a victory,” defense attorney Dan Hartzog said. “It was the jury's decision."

The victim’s son declined to comment directly, but through his attorney, he said he was satisfied with the verdict and hopes it helps others.

"Hopefully this will cause the Housing Authority to change its practices," Kennedy said.

A spokesperson with the Charlotte Housing Authority said it is still reviewing the case and plans to issue a statement about the verdict Wednesday.

There is no word on whether there will be any appeals.