Michelle McMahan v. Tacoma Community College
Published: Jul. 26, 1994 | Result Date: Jun. 30, 1994 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 932015823 – $1,350,000
Judge
Court
Pierce Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Michelle Acosta
(medical)
Christopher Varley
(medical)
Gilbert Kliman
(medical)
Facts
On May 22, 1992, Alan Crutchfield, a 21-year-old developmentally disabled school cafeteria worker, dragged a 5-year-old girl, from the women's restroom into the men's restroom and assaulted her. He pulled the child's clothing up, submerged her head in the toilet bowl, banged her head against the wall, and choked her until she wasn't breathing. The intervention of another employee caused Crutchfield to halt his assault. The other employee then gave the child CPR and called for help. Defendant Tacoma School District had hired the assailant, assigning him to work at the Defendant Tacoma Community College. Allegedly Crutchfield had been involved in other acts of violence: He had been charged with arson and burglary in 1984; in relation to an attempted kidnapping of a young girl from an elementary school, he was evaluated for sexual deviancy and charged with child rape; while working as a dishwasher at Pacific Lutheran University, he tried to lure another student into a restroom; and prior psychological evaluations had found him likely to commit other sexual offenses. Crutchfield is now confined to the state's chief mental hospital, Western State in Lakewood. The Court found him mentally incompetent to stand trial for the assault on this Plaintiff.
Settlement Discussions
Plaintiffs contend their demand was $160,000 and Defendant TCC offered $20,000.
Specials in Evidence
not claimed not claimed
Injuries
Near death experience resulting in post traumatic distress syndrome being sustained by both Plaintiffs.
Deliberation
1 day
Poll
varied
Length
2 weeks
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390