Lane’s father and other relatives have agreed to pay more than $2.5 million to the families of Demetrius Hewlin, Russell King Junior, and Daniel Parmertor --the three students fatally shot. It breaks down to under $900,000 for each family with 40 percent going to the attorneys in the case.
Geauga County Court Judge Timothy Grendell said the amount is “fair and reasonable.”
The judge made the settlement public, despite motions from the plaintiffs to keep the terms confidential. Grendell says his aim was to preserve the openness of the court system, and to signal to gun owners the costs they may pay if the weapons are not kept securely.
Grendell says all parties seemed satisfied with settlement. However, neither side responded to our requests for comment.
T.J. Lane is serving three consecutive life sentences for the shootings.
Separate cases by relatives against the Chardon School District and the school Lane attended are still pending.