Hello again from your lawyers at Bonner & Bonner, Ryder Law and Everytown Law. We have three updates to share.
First, given the public interest in these cases and upcoming court filings about the settlement agreements with some defendants, there will be a press conference on Feb. 11 at 3 pm at the Merriweather Library. The focus of the press conference will be on the Mean Arms settlement and the NY Attorney General (Letitia James) will speak, as will Eric Tirschwell from Everytown Law and other plaintiffs’ lawyers. (We do not plan to share publicly the amount of money each of you are to receive under the settlements.)
You are invited to attend the press conference at 3 pm as well as a pre-meeting with AG James at 2 pm (also at the library). Please text if you would like more information about the press conference. Please text Sabra ASAP at 916-670-9007 to let us know if you would like to attend.
We understand that some of you may want to attend and that others may decide that it is not helpful – either decision makes sense and we leave it to each of you to decide what is best for yourself.
It is possible that you may be contacted by reporters and asked for comment at the press conference or in the days that follow. (We would never share your personal information, but savvy reporters may track down a cell number for example). We recommend that you do not engage or comment without a lawyer present. If you aren't interested in speaking, please feel free to ignore the calls altogether or simply say, 'I don’t wish to comment at this time.' If you do want to share your story, please let your legal team know first. Anything you say to reporters can be used in a story, and we want to help you create a plan while ensuring you stay safe and protected. In addition, as part of the settlement agreements with the defendants, you have a legal obligation not to disparage or inaccurately describe their conduct. Please err on the side of caution and do not discuss the specific defendants or what we allege they did wrong.
Second, we have drafted documents relating to the settlements with Mean Arms, Vintage Firearms and the shooter’s parents. The court hearing to approve aspects of the settlements is scheduled for Feb. 26. Later this month, we’ll need each of you to sign some required documents to finalize the settlements. We’ll need to have those documents returned by each and every plaintiff before defendants will release settlement money.
Third, the social media appeals are moving forward in the Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court. Written briefs will be filed this spring/summer and the court will likely hear oral arguments this fall. We would expect the court to issue a decision in late 2026 or early 2027 to decide whether claims against social media companies may move forward. The case against RMA Armament, the body armor company, is moving forward slowly in trial court.
As we continue down the long road to accountability, we thank you as always for your time. Please reach out to one of us if you have questions.