Trial Magazine

After attending a basketball game between two Chicago public schools, Doe, 17, went out to a parking lot on the Chicago State University campus. There, he was shot and killed. Doe is survived by his parents.

Doe’s estate sued the Chicago Board of Education, alleging it held the game in a location that had a high incidence of violence and failed to provide adequate security in light of this and the history of violence between the two basketball teams. The plaintiff argued that there should have been a better security plan and coordination between security personnel.

The jury awarded $3.5 million, finding that the defendant had acted with indifference or reckless disregard for Doe’s safety. Posttrial motions are pending.

Citation: Young v. Chicago Bd. of Educ., No. 2014-L-000488 (Ill. Cir. Ct. Cook Cnty. Nov. 22, 2017). Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Martin Dolan, Jack Carmody, and Karen Munoz, all of Chicago.

Plaintiff expert: James Bondi, security, Aurora, Ill.