Colorado: Fraternity Death and School Massacre

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Estate of Deceased College Student v. Chi Psi Fraternity et al.  Represented the family of a deceased college student who died following an evening of fraternity hazing at the University of Colorado in Boulder.  At the outset of this case, one defendant sought to evade liability for his misconduct based upon the State's Dram Shop Act, which expressly prohibits certain civil claims by victim against a social host where the injuries were caused by the victim's own voluntary consumption of alcohol.  Per this defendant, the victim could not proceed with his civil claims because - according to this defendant - the victim's death was caused by his own voluntary drinking.  The Court denied that Motion, ruling that the Dram Shop Act did not apply because, among other reasons:  the defendant was not a "social host;" the consumption of alcohol was coerced in a reckless illegal hazing ritual; and, it is alleged that misconduct by the defendant following the victim's incapacity was a cause of his death.  The case was settled against all defendants.  The family sought and obtained significant non-economic changes from the fraternity designed to make it safer.  View the trailer to the documentary "Haze" which deals with this case. Articles about this case follow: News Article 1, News Article 2, News Article 3

Client v. The Board of County Commissioners of the County of Jefferson, Colorado, et al.  More widely-known as the "Columbine High School Massacre."  My partner, Peter Grenier, successfully represented the family of a math teacher at Columbine, in a Federal Civil Rights action against numerous parties responsible for the death of this beloved teacher.  Peter prevailed against the defendants' motions to dismiss the action (where others did not), and then obtained a large, confidential settlement on behalf of the family.  Persons more interested in the compelling facts and legal theories of this case are encouraged to contact Peter and/or review the November 27, 2001 Memorandum Opinion and Order issued by Judge Lewis T. Babcock, Chief Judge of the United States Court for the District of Colorado.