RICHMOND
Virginia will pay $100,000 to each of the families of 24 of the 32 people killed during the Virginia Tech shooting massacre last year, under the terms of a settlement approved by a Richmond Circuit Court judge Tuesday.
Similar settlements with families of four others who were killed are expected to become final soon. Two families of shooting victims plan to sue the state, and two families failed to notify the state they wanted to participate in the settlement, according to Attorney General Bob McDonnell's office.
Shortly after the hearing, lawyers for some of the families showed copies of internal e-mails sent by a Virginia Tech faculty member on the morning of April 16, 2007, that showed at least one classroom building had been locked down before the entire campus was alerted about the shootings.
The attorneys argued that the university should have shut down the campus after the first two students were killed, saying a quicker response could have saved the lives of many of the 32 people killed that day.
"Without the benefit of accurate, timely information, our clients and others left areas of safety, gathered in classes in large, vulnerable groups, and walked right into danger and buildings that could and should have been in lockdown," said Peter Grenier of the Washington law firm of Bode & Grenier LLP.
More than two hours elapsed between 7:15 a.m., when gunman Seung-Hui Cho killed two students in West Ambler Johnston Hall, and the 9:26 a.m. e-mail sent by the university about the shootings. At 9:40 a.m., Cho began shooting students and teachers in Norris Hall, killing 30 people and wounding many others before killing himself.
Family members and lawyers for many of the 32 people killed at Tech were in Judge Theodore J. Markow's courtroom Tuesday to finalize terms of a settlement with the state.
Eighteen people who were seriously injured but survived will receive cash settlements of differing amounts from the state.
The state's settlement provides for the creation of several other funds - among them, accounts to cover future expenses of certain health care needs of shooting victims' families; a fund for charitable purposes; and a hardship fund to be paid to victims and their families.
In addition to the cash considerations, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will meet with the families three times before his term ends to discuss efforts to prevent future tragedies. Tech officials will meet with families who have further questions about the shooting.
State lawmakers this year passed laws to clarify and tighten statutes regarding assessment and treatment of mentally ill patients and pumped about $42 million in new money into the state's care system.
Still, some victims' families say more improvements are needed.
"This has nothing to do with money," said Joe Samaha, whose daughter Reema was killed by Cho. "This has to do with being able to openly discuss the failures we have discovered to create change."
Douglas Fierberg, one of the attorneys who released the e-mails, criticized authorities for not publicly sharing more information.
"I don't understand the public policy for withholding police records when it involves the largest school massacre in U.S. history," he said.
State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said, "State law prohibits us from releasing critical pieces of evidence, witness statements, recordings and any information that becomes part of a criminal investigative file." The State Police is one of the lead investigators in the ongoing inquiry of the Tech shootings.
After Tuesday's hearing, Chief Deputy Attorney General Bill Mims said that while he and other officials have a responsibility to the state, they feel sorrow for the loss of life at Tech.
"First we are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, neighbors and friends," Mims said.
"Since April 16, 2007, our thoughts and our prayers have been with those whose losses we cannot fully comprehend but will never forget."
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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Problems with the "deal of a lifetime"
VA Tech is getting the deal of a lifetime at 100K for each death caused by A. their negligence in failing to remove Seung-Hui Cho from the campus, B. their failure to warn the campus that a gunman was at large and could possibly be a danger to students and C. the campus policy that doesn't allow properly permitted and legal gun owners to carry their lawful weapons on campus, ensuring a helpless, victim-rich environment.
On point A., VT was really unable to remove Cho, B. How could they warn everybody? And how could they know Cho was going to kill more after the dorm shooting?, C. Many campuses do not allow firearms on grounds. There is no need for them in your lecture. So if a gunman comes into my office and decides to "take everyone out", my company is liable because they have a no firearm policy? We're stretching on this one.
Can I buy your child for $100 Grand?
VA Tech is getting the deal of a lifetime at 100K for each death caused by A. their negligence in failing to remove Seung-Hui Cho from the campus, B. their failure to warn the campus that a gunman was at large and could possibly be a danger to students and C. the campus policy that doesn't allow properly permitted and legal gun owners to carry their lawful weapons on campus, ensuring a helpless, victim-rich environment. When one considers that a surrogate mother is $40,000 plus another 15-30K for the harvesting, fertilization and implantation, prenatal care, hospital delivery, diapers, food, clothes, insurance, education, braces, etc., etc. and VT got the deal of a lifetime! If I offered you a 100K for one of your children would you let me kill him or her? Of course not--but VT thinks it's a fair deal for the parents--and of course let't not forget that the lawyers are getting a cut too--33.3-40% of the 100K PLUS EXPENSES which means only 60-66% of the 100K of blood money offered. It's not enough--not by a long shot!
Although the VT shooting was an unfortunate tradegy...
I find it quite troubling that money is being paid out to the families. The Commonwealth cannot simply pay out for every victim of a terrible crime. A tradegy, yes, VT or the Commonwealth responsible? How? Will the victims of the serial rapist at UVA get compensation as well? Additionally, as insensitive as this sounds, I find it extremely odd that Gov. Kaine will meet with these families at least three times before his term expires. These families are not experts on campus security, and the meetings seems to me to be merely a self-gratifying plank which serves no real public good.
Money.....
I guess money will bring back loved ones. No matter the circumstances once again tax payers pay for unjustified settlements. People need to remember what happened, but please move on.
blame game....
....gotta blame someone.....I wonder what the families will do with the money they receive from whoever it is they are filing suits against? I am so sorry for the losses the families have had to endure, but I cannot imagine what they feel the University could have done any differently with handling a situation they never could have imagined ever being put in. One thing's for certain, I bet they won't donate it back to the school to install and train better security for (God forbid) the next unimaginable incident.