Orleans Parish School Board Wins Litigation in High School Shooting Case

The School Board was represented by the law firm of Rodney & Etter, LLC, which continued its reputation for success in defense against high-profile litigation cases. Rodney & Etter, LLC, is a boutique litigation firm located in New Orleans specializ

New Orleans, CA (prHWY.com) March 29, 2011 - New Orleans, LA: On April 14, 2003, two young men, armed with automatic weapons, entered the gymnasium of the John McDonogh Senior High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. The gym was filled with over 200 students participating in various school classes and activities. The assailants sprayed the gym with gunfire, murdering their intended target, Jonathan Williams, and injuring four others before escaping into the surrounding neighborhood. One of the assailants was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving a life sentence without the benefit of the parole. The other assailant accepted a plea bargain and is still incarcerated. The parents of Mr. Williams and the other injured parties sued the Orleans Parish School Board, claiming lax security at the school and insufficient response by the School Board to warnings of potential violence against Mr. Williams.

In six days of testimony, experts in security, former John McDonogh students, teachers, and administrators, police and school security officers, and others provided graphic testimony about the events of that day, one of the worst school shootings in America. An expert in school security who had worked other infamous school shootings, including Columbine, testified that the School Board had taken all reasonable steps to establish and maintain a safe and secure campus environment at John McDonogh. Other witnesses testified to the deliberate nature of the assailants' actions and the actions of teachers and administrators immediately following the assault.

Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Robin Giarusso ruled in favor of Orleans Parish School Board, indicating that no additional actions on the part of the School Board likely would have prevented the brazen mid-day attack. Giarusso called the attacks "unexpected, unprecedented, and unforeseeable" and that "no place could have prevented [the] gangland-style assassination." A copy of the complete judgment is attached.

The School Board was represented by the law firm of Rodney & Etter, LLC, which continued its reputation for success in defense against high-profile litigation cases. Rodney & Etter, LLC, is a boutique litigation firm located in New Orleans specializing in tort and class action litigation. Members of the firm have been recognized as top litigators by American Lawyer Magazine and others.

For more information on about Roy Rodney visit the site: http://www.rodneyandetter.com/ in depth.

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