Trial News

Iana Kasian, 30, lived with Blake Leibel for approximately one year. After the birth of the couple’s daughter, Leibel sexually assaulted, tortured, and killed Kasian over the course of several hours inside their home. Her body was discovered after a standoff with law enforcement, and Leibel was later convicted of criminal homicide.

Kasian’s estate, and her mother, individually and on behalf of Kasian’s daughter, sued Leibel, alleging wrongful death and survivorship claims. Plaintiff counsel argued that Kasian lived for a prolonged period of time after Leibel began attacking her and fought back against him.

The court awarded $41.6 million, including $10 million in punitive damages.

Citation: Kasian v. Leibel, No. BC624321 (Cal. Super. Ct. Los Angeles Cnty. Feb. 15, 2019).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Siannah Collado Boutté, AAJ member Thomas Conroy, AAJ member Robert Simon, and Brad Simon, all of Hermosa Beach, Calif.; and Jake Finkel, Los Angeles.

Plaintiff experts: Enrique Vega, economics, Woodland Hills, Calif.; and Constantine Boukidis, economics, Los Angeles.