Family of slain Springfield student suing District 186. Here's what you need to know
One year after he was stabbed to death outside Lanphier High School, the family of Pierre V. Scott Jr. is suing School District 186, accusing it of failing to protect him.
Meanwhile, a trial date has been set for the student accused in the stabbing, who is being tried as an adult.
The lawsuit was filed in Sangamon County court in August.
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Court records state Scott's family and the family of Daquan Dunn, a Lanphier student injured in the Nov. 17, 2021, incident, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against District 186, Lanphier and its employees, Douglas Alternative School and its employees and Kamyjah A. Bias, the 16-year-old defendant.
The lawsuit alleged Scott and Dunn were stabbed "as a result of the willful and wanton misconduct of the Defendants."
The lawsuit alleged Lanphier staff allowed Bias, a student at Douglas, to continue entering the high school despite being removed from afternoon classes prior to the stabbing. Bias had been taking afternoon classes at Lanphier.
One day prior to the stabbing, according to the lawsuit, Douglas staff observed Bias allegedly threatening acts of violence against people on the property, while holding a knife. The lawsuit accused employees at Douglas, Lanphier and the district of not taking action that could have protected Scott and Dunn, violating their legal duty under state law to maintain discipline on school grounds.
"(They) permitted Bias to reenter Lanphier, despite the fact that she had and was exhibiting behavioral and/or psychological issues, including aggressive behavior, at Douglas and Lanphier," the lawsuit said.
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Scott's family is asking for $10 million from each of the defendants on wrongful death and survivor claims, making up a combined $60 million request.
Dunn's family is seeking $10 million from the defendants for willful and wanton conduct and an undetermined amount against Bias for battery and intentionally inflicting emotional distress.
Bias was indicted in April on three counts of first-degree murder along with three counts of aggravated battery, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and attempted first-degree murder. A pre-trial hearing has been set for Dec. 19, with a trial tentatively scheduled for February.
If convicted, she faces up to 90 years in prison.
District 186 spokeswoman Rachel Dyas, reached Friday, said the district would not comment on ongoing litigation.
The district sought to have the case dismissed on Nov. 4.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Family of slain Springfield student suing District 186