Judge approves settlement in Virginia Tech shootings
RICHMOND, Va. – A judge on Tuesday approved an $11 million state settlement with families of most of the victims in last year’s Virginia Tech slayings that will avoid a court battle over whether anyone but the gunman was to blame.
Families of 24 victims – out of 32 killed by Seung-Hui Cho – will be compensated under the settlement approved by Circuit Court Judge Theodore J. Markow.
Four families agreed to the settlement, but were not prepared to go before the judge Tuesday. Four other families did not participate: Two have filed notices of lawsuits, and two did not file claims.
The settlement also covers 18 people injured, but their cases did not require court approval.
“The amount the families are receiving does nothing to offset or reduce the pain that they will forever suffer,” said Douglas Fierberg, an attorney representing many of the families.
Peter Grenier, another family attorney, called the settlement “the most acceptable and most reasonable outcome we could expect” considering Virginia’s $100,000 limit on liability in such cases.
Cho killed two students in a dormitory on April 16, 2007, then more than two hours later killed 25 students and five faculty members in a classroom building before taking his own life. Another two dozen were injured.
University officials have been criticized for the delay in informing students and employees about the first shootings, which police initially thought were an act of domestic violence.
By accepting the proposal, family members gave up the right to sue the state government, the university, the local governments serving Virginia Tech and the community services board that provides mental-health services in the area.
“We are professionals and we represent the commonwealth’s interests to the best of our abilities,” said Chief Deputy Attorney General William C. Mims. “But first we are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, neighbors and friends. We cannot possibly imagine the losses they’ve suffered.”
Holly Sherman, whose daughter Leslie was killed, said in an e-mail that she was relieved “that this is moving along and, in a large way, ending.”
But Roger O’Dell, whose son Derek was injured, thought the settlement was inadequate.
“Morally speaking, the nature of the crime and the magnitude of its consequences call for much more,” he said in an e-mail.
Under the settlement, seriously injured victims will have health care needs covered for life. Representatives of each of those killed will receive $100,000. Funds also were set aside for the injured, with individuals eligible to receive up to $100,000 apiece.
Families of those killed can seek additional money from a $1.9 million hardship fund, and more money was set aside for attorneys’ fees and a fund for charities.