http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...ty_to_pay.html
Excerpt from article (link above):
A state district judge has ordered the national and University of Texas chapters of a fraternity to pay $16.2 million to the parents of a freshman pledge who fell to his death two years ago after authorities said he was subjected to hazing.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity must pay each of the parents of Marietta, Ga., native Tyler Cross $2.5 million for mental anguish and nearly $81,000 for funeral expenses, among other costs, according to an order by Judge John Dietz.
Dietz issued the order Wednesday afternoon after the national and local SAE chapters failed to respond to a lawsuit, said attorney Robby Alden, who is representing the Cross family. State law allows the chapters to seek a new trial, which would be granted if their representatives explain why they didn’t respond to the suit and can present a defense to the allegations.
A civil case against the organization’s alumni board and housing corporation is pending.
I don't know what the specific items are that would move the total to a little over sixteen million dollars. In any case, it seems likely to me that if the total really is sixteen million, a new trial will be sought, or possibly a different settlement will be reached. Admittedly, I'm not a Texan, so I may be over-reacting to the amount of money mentioned.
...........
Edited to add: the article was posted in the October 23 online issue of the Austin Statesman.
http://www.statesman.com/
Edited to add: The October 24 online issue of the Austin paper has a slightly updated article:
http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...raternity.html
Threaded Mode
