The family of Michael Tobin settled their lawsuit against the University, Phi Gamma Delta and Trammell Crow for an undisclosed amount of money earlier this week.
The announcement of the settlement came after nearly two weeks of plaintiff testimony, barely a day into the defense case.
"This case for all legal purposes is ended," Judge Paul Panepinto told his courtroom on Monday. Addressing the jury after emerging from chambers with the settlement, Panepinto called it a "good ending."
Tobin's family filed the wrongful death suit two years ago, after the 1994 College graduate fell to his death following FIJI's annual "Pig Roast" alumni dinner in March, 1999.
Tobin's body was discovered face down in a garbage pile, which had accumulated behind the University-owned fraternity house at 3619 Locust Walk. His body sustained a number of injuries, including a badly fractured skull, leading experts to believe he died almost immediately. At the time of his death, his blood alcohol level was .23.
Alleging that it was Penn's failure to maintain the stairs behind the house that caused Tobin's death, his estate sought $5 million in damages -- a figure based on estimates of how much Tobin could have earned had he lived.
In 2000, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology agreed to a $6 million settlement with the parents of Scott Krueger, a freshman who died while taking part in a fraternity pledging event at MIT's Phi Gamma Delta chapter in 1997. The school agreed to endow a $1.25 million scholarship in Krueger's memory, and pay $4.75 million to his parents.
Following Monday's announcement, several jury members said that they had not yet decided which way they intended to rule when the settlement was announced. Nevertheless, many were openly critical of the University.
"Penn definitely needs to take a little better care of their students," juror Jim Oprysko said, adding that he was undecided on who was specifically liable for Michael Tobin's death.
"Any college dorm needs to be looked after," he said.
Juror Josephine Soler echoed Oprysko's conclusions.
"With this experience hopefully from now [the University] will make sure safety measures are taken more seriously," Soler said.
Soler said she was pleased with the outcome of the case.
"I'm happy for them," she said. 'The parents can put things to rest."
Panepinto concurred with this sentiment as well in his concluding remarks.
The case "was a serious, serious matter and it has ended in the best way possible," he said.
The trial lawyers also expressed approval of the finality of a settlement.
"We're pleased that the matter is resolved," University spokeswoman Phyllis Holtzman said.
Patricia Pierce, the principle lawyer for the Tobins, also reported to being happy at having reached a settlement, noting "the trial was a necessary thing."
Following Tobin's death, Penn's 117-year-old FIJI chapter was disbanded.
The incident also led the University to re-evaluate its alcohol policy while temporary imposing a ban on alcohol at all undergraduate events.
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