LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The mother of a Las Vegas teen who was badly beaten outside his school is filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Jonathan Lewis’ mother Mellisa Ready, has filed the complaint against the Clark County School District, saying the district was negligent and is liable for her son’s death.
Lewis was beaten in an alley outside of Rancho High School, where he attended school. Lewis suffered from critical injuries and died several days later while in the hospital. The property owner, Sandra Corona, is also named in the lawsuit.
The complaint filed Wednesday in the Eighth Judicial District Court alleges the suspects involved in the deadly altercation “were known to the school administration and had exhibited prior aggressive or violent behavior.” It uncovers another conflict that took place before Lewis’ murder, which lawyers claim the school should have been on notice of “escalating tensions.”
According to the suit, CCSD administrators and teachers are “owed a duty to supervise students, investigate and respond to threats of violence.” The suit adds that even areas near the campus during or immediately after school hours are under the school district’s jurisdiction.
“The location of the assault was a known gathering spot for students, and prior incidents of fighting and criminal activity had occurred in the same vicinity,” the complaint said. It asserts the property owner ”knew or should have known that her property and the alley adjacent to it were frequently used by students and others for congregation, including criminal or violent activity.”
Nine suspects were originally charged in connection with Jonathan’s murder. Four of the defendants in the case have accepted plea deals, ultimately, moving their cases back to juvenile court, which means their court records will be sealed. Five other suspects also faced charges in juvenile court.
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