No settlement reached in Virginia Tech case
A jury trial in the 2007 shooting case remains scheduled for March 5-9.
By Tonia Moxley
A settlement between the state and the families
of two women slain at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007 -- a settlement
urged by Special Justice William Alexander -- did not come to pass
Friday, when the parties met.
"Everybody gave it a shot," Tech spokesman Larry Hincker said Monday. "It was a long day. But they didn't resolve the issues."
So a jury trial remains scheduled for March 5-9.
Hincker was long ago dismissed as a defendant, but is expected to testify in the trial set in Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Bob Hall, attorney for the parents of the late Erin Peterson and Julia Pryde, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
The judge has repeatedly urged the parties to settle their differences and avoid a trial that he has said will hurt everyone involved. But the continued stalemate means a jury is now set to hear the case, which has changed significantly since it was filed three years ago.
Alexander recently dismissed university President Charles Steger, the last remaining individual defendant, on a legal technicality. While Steger remains a key witness in the case, his dismissal changes it from a wrongful death claim for which a jury may decide damages, to a simple tort claim against the state.
Awards in tort cases are capped at $100,000 per plaintiff.
Please contact us if you need legal advice.
Tucker Griffin Barnes P.C.
Charlottesville, VA
434-973-7474
1-866-246-1969
If you find this post informative, please consider "sharing" using the social media buttons below. Thank you.
"Everybody gave it a shot," Tech spokesman Larry Hincker said Monday. "It was a long day. But they didn't resolve the issues."
So a jury trial remains scheduled for March 5-9.
Hincker was long ago dismissed as a defendant, but is expected to testify in the trial set in Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Bob Hall, attorney for the parents of the late Erin Peterson and Julia Pryde, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
The judge has repeatedly urged the parties to settle their differences and avoid a trial that he has said will hurt everyone involved. But the continued stalemate means a jury is now set to hear the case, which has changed significantly since it was filed three years ago.
Alexander recently dismissed university President Charles Steger, the last remaining individual defendant, on a legal technicality. While Steger remains a key witness in the case, his dismissal changes it from a wrongful death claim for which a jury may decide damages, to a simple tort claim against the state.
Awards in tort cases are capped at $100,000 per plaintiff.
Please contact us if you need legal advice.
Tucker Griffin Barnes P.C.
Charlottesville, VA
434-973-7474
1-866-246-1969
If you find this post informative, please consider "sharing" using the social media buttons below. Thank you.
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