A legal resolution unfolded in San Moreno Valley, California, on Wednesday, September 13. The Moreno Valley Unified School District reached a $27 million settlement with the family of Diego Stolz. This settlement pertains to a bullying incident in a middle school on September 16, 2019, which led to the tragic death of 13-year-old Diego.
Following the incident, two of Diego’s peers, both 13 years old, faced legal consequences in juvenile court. They were convicted of manslaughter and assault. As part of their punishment, a Riverside County judge sentenced them to a mere 47-day jail term, in conjunction with mandatory community service and anger management therapy sessions.
Taylor & Ring LLP took on the responsibility of representing the Stolz family. They pointed out the historic nature of the settlement, as it stands as the largest in a US school bullying incident. In an effort to shed light on the incident, the law firm made a post on Facebook. Diego, remembered by many as a compassionate young boy, was assaulted even as he chose not to retaliate physically.
In the aftermath of Diego’s passing, his family pursued a legal case against the school district, alleging negligence. The family’s stance is that Diego had communicated his concerns about persistent bullying to school officials. Even though there were assurances of appropriate disciplinary actions, no concrete steps were taken.
Adding to the intensity of this tragic event was the availability of video footage of Diego’s assault. This footage, which was shared across several social media platforms, showcased the severe nature of the attack. Diego was caught off guard from behind and suffered a traumatic blow to his head, falling against a concrete pillar. Despite the boy’s injury, the perpetrators continued their assault. A severe brain injury resulted from the attack, causing Diego’s death only nine days later.
