The Baltimore Sun has reported an unusual outcome in one part of a settlement in the wrongful death civil suit of a teenager: The new athletic shoes of one of the defendants.
J.A., the mother of 14 year-old C.J., who died as a result of an attack in May 2009, said of the now shoeless-defendant, “I saw him in brand new shoes, and I thought he's got a lot of nerve coming in here with brand new shoes and he's saying he has no money.”
C.J. was on his bicycle riding home in Crofton when he was attacked by six other youths.
During a settlement conference J.A. made mention of the new shoes that defendant E.A. brazenly wore to court. J.A. surprised the judge when she said, “I wanted him to walk out of the courthouse in his socks and be embarrassed and humiliated. He can say (C.J.’s) mother took the shoes off my feet.”
The judge agreed with her.
Richard Jaklitsch, the family’s lawyer, upon receiving the shoes said, “It was the first time in my 28 years of practicing law that this has happened.”
J.A. left the courtroom with some satisfaction, though no plans as what to actually do with the shoes she now held in her possession.
The terms of the wrongful death settlement are confidential. The latest conference has produced a settlement with five of the six defendants.
J.G., one of the defendants that has admitted to a manslaughter charge in juvenile court, is being held in a youth facility until he reaches 21. Jaklitsch said that a verdict against J.G., though essentially just a symbolic gesture, will at least keep him from “buying a car, from buying a house. It is not dischargeable under bankruptcy.”
The other youths were all covered by homeowner policies that their families held.
J.A., and former husband, D.J., have begun to raise money for a community center in Crofton, as well as working on youth gang violence. They hope to make a change – something that will prevent assaults on other children in the future.
Police contend that C.J. was killed when two youths targeted him with extreme physical blows during the incident.
There were other youths present that were not charged as they didn’t take part in the assault.
The family had also named the Anne Arundel County school system in the suit, for their failure in protecting C.J. from harm. The school was later dismissed from the case.
C.J.’s death has led to at least one firebombing in retaliation, against the wrong person.
C.J. didn’t belong to any youth gangs or crews. He did, however, have friends in rival crews.
The state is looking at changing laws that will foster communications between police and local schools in regards to students.
If you believe that you have lost someone that you loved in a wrongful death click here to contact a personal injury lawyer near you today! There is help for your suffering – monetary compensation is often awarded in these cases.