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VA Tech Victim Families Still Seeking Closure

Virginia Tech

Thirty-two sets of families are still dealing with the losses they experienced six years ago due to the Virginia Tech shootings.  And while they have tried to heal in their own ways, two still believe there's an injustice that must be righted. It's why they appeared at the Virginia Supreme Court, where they also heard state attorneys argue why a ruling holding Tech responsible for the massacre should be overturned.

The justices heard appeals of two cases.  One asks them to overturn the decision that resulted in a four-million dollar verdict for the families of Erin Peterson and Julia Pryde. A law caps the amount at 100-thousand. But the state’s attorneys argued that the trial court erred in its interpretation of the law and that the ruling should be reversed or retried. Retiring Virginia Tech President Charles Steger was dismissed from that case. Erin's mother, Celeste, asks why-and wonders how the state reconciles not forcing the person who was at the helm during the shootings to make amends.

In the second case, the families are asking that Steger be included in the lawsuit.  The parents’ attorney says when the first two victims were shot, Steger failed to give proper notifications and lock down the campus. They believe this could have prevented the shooter from killing more people-including their children.
 

Tommie McNeil is a State Capitol reporter who has been covering Virginia and Virginia politics for more than a decade. He originally hails from Maryland, and also doubles as the evening anchor for 1140 WRVA in Richmond.