A legal dispute involving the survivors and families of the Parkland high school shooting victims has been resolved through a settlement. The agreement, overseen by Circuit Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips, grants equal control of the shooter Nikolas Cruz’s publicity rights and a potential annuity to the parties involved.
The settlement ensures that survivor Anthony Borges, along with the families of Meadow Pollack, Luke Hoyer, Alaina Petty, and survivor Maddy Wilford, have veto power over any attempts by Cruz to profit from his name or likeness. Additionally, they would split a $400,000 annuity left by Cruz’s late mother, with the victims’ families and Wilford planning to donate their share to charities.
The resolution was reached just before a scheduled court hearing, where the validity of a previous agreement giving Borges ownership of Cruz’s name and image was to be debated. Borges, who was severely injured in the shooting, requires financial support for future medical expenses.
The legal battle stemmed from disagreements over how to divide previous settlements with Broward County schools and the FBI, with tensions rising over financial allocations. The families of the victims had initially insisted that Borges receive less compensation than they did, leading to his exclusion from the group.
Despite the settlement, a lawsuit against former sheriff’s deputy Scot Peterson, who failed to intervene during the shooting, is still pending. The families and survivors maintain that Peterson’s inaction contributed to the tragedy, and they are seeking justice through the legal system.
The resolution of the legal dispute marks a step towards closure for the survivors and families affected by the Parkland shooting. It underscores the importance of collective decision-making and cooperation in seeking justice and holding accountable those responsible for the tragic events.
