San Moreno Valley, California, witnessed a landmark legal decision on Wednesday, September 13. The Moreno Valley Unified School District settled a case with a bereaved family, agreeing to a $27 million payment. The case stemmed from a bullying incident at a middle school that resulted in the death of Diego Stolz on September 16, 2019. Diego was just 13.
In the aftermath of the event, two teenagers, also 13 years of age, were found culpable in juvenile court. They faced charges of manslaughter and assault and were sentenced by a Riverside County judge. Their punishment included a mere 47-day jail term, alongside obligatory community service and therapy sessions for anger management.
Representing the Stolz family was the law firm of Taylor & Ring LLP. They brought to light the significance of this settlement, noting its position as the most substantial in a US school bullying scenario.
Through a public Facebook post, the attorneys shed light on the sequence of events that led to Diego’s tragic end. Despite being known for his gentle nature, Diego became the target of bullying. On the fateful day, opting for non-violence, he was met with an unprovoked attack by the two individuals.
Following Diego’s passing, his family initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the school district. They asserted that Diego had previously reported the consistent bullying he faced to the school’s administration. Even though there were commitments to take disciplinary steps, none were executed. Taylor & Ring’s formal statement stressed the importance of schools across the nation taking swift action against bullying, prioritizing the well-being and safety of students.
A particularly distressing component of this tragedy was the revelation that the assault on Diego had been filmed and subsequently disseminated on social media platforms. The footage displayed the shocking moment when Diego was ambushed, resulting in a traumatic head injury against a concrete structure. Despite the severity of his injury, the assailants did not stop. The tragic incident led to Diego’s death just nine days later.
