PORTLAND (AP) – A Portland strip club is the target of a negligence and wrongful death lawsuit by the family of a Gray man who was murdered two years ago after drinking there with his killer for more than five hours.

Robert Wagner’s estate claims that Platinum Plus served liquor to Wagner, Steven Clark and a third man when they were clearly drunk. Wagner and Clark, who were friends and had worked together in the mortgage business, then went to Clark’s Portland home early on the morning of Feb. 16, 2006, where Clark shot Wagner.

Clark was found guilty of murder and is serving a 43-year prison sentence.

According to trial testimony, Platinum Plus served each of the three men more than 10 drinks that combined vodka and Red Bull, a caffeinated drink that’s marketed as an energy booster. The men then switched over to Red Bull with no alcohol.

After returning to Clark’s house, Clark and Wagner drank beer and consumed hallucinogenic mushrooms, Clark testified. He claimed that the two got into an argument and that he fired in self-defense when Wagner lunged at him with a knife.

Attorney Andrews Campbell, who represents Wagner’s estate, said the straight Red Bull was intended to mask the alcohol impairment.

“Platinum Plus serves Red Bulls without alcohol from 1 a.m. to closing to promote the ‘caffeine high’ and energy to drive home, which prevents the patrons from realizing the degree of intoxication,” the complaint read.

Paul Clement, director of operations for Platinum Plus, declined comment, saying he had not seen a copy of the lawsuit.

AP-ES-02-27-08 1235EST