Stone Foltz trial sees final defendant for damages hearing
Stone Foltz tragically passed away in the hospital March 7, 2021, three days after being blindfolded, taken to a basement and made to consume a 1-liter bottle of 86-proof bourbon by his Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (“PIKE”) brothers.
Roughly an hour after, Stone Foltz was driven home by PIKE members and left alone on his couch. He was found with a blood alcohol content of 0.394 g/DL upon being admitted to the hospital and the coroner determined he died from fatal ethanol intoxication during a hazing incident.
The case will see a courtroom for the first time in a Feb. 29 hearing for the president of PIKE at the time, Daylen Dunson.
Who is Daylen Dunson?
Daylen Dunson, the president of PIKE at the time of Stone Foltz’s death, is the final of the original defendants named in the lawsuits brought forth by the Stone Foltz Estate.
He has previously been found liable for damages and sentenced to a series of charges in Wood County Courts.
Dunson served 21 days in jail after being convicted for 19 charges related to Foltz’s death: One charge of reckless homicide (Felony, 3rd Degree), one charge of tampering with evidence (Felony 3rd Degree), obstructing justice (Felony, 5th Degree), one charge of obstructing official business (Misdemeanor, 4th degree) seven counts of hazing (Misdemeanors, 4th degree) and six counts of failure to comply with underage alcohol laws
The Stone Foltz estate is seeking survivorship damages from Dunson.
What’s at stake?
The Thursday hearing will center around damages against Dunson for the wrongful death of Stone Foltz, including both compensatory and punitive damages. \
The Foltz family is seeking compensatory damages at this civil trial, which is awarded to the surviving party to make up for the loss they suffered. The Foltz family also argues Dunson owes them for punitive damages, which are awarded to a family when the defendant’s actions demonstrate malice and compensatory damages have been awarded.
Throughout the litigation, the Foltz estate has settled with BGSU, as well as all other defendants, aside from Dunson. The amount collected as of Feb. 16 totalled to $11,431,000, which included a $2.9 million settlement with Bowling Green State University.
BG Falcon Media will be at the Thursday hearing, with live coverage on our social media platforms and website. Make sure to check back for the latest developments as they unfold.
-
Punitive DamagesPunitive damages are awarded to a plaintiff on top of compensatory damages in order to set a precedent that certain actions are not acceptable under Ohio law. They are meant to punish the defendant for their behavior and deter others from engaging in that conduct.
-
Compensatory Damages:Compensatory damages are awarded to a plaintiff, in this case the Foltz family, for their losses or injuries. It’s designed to reimburse them and is based upon the actual damages.
-
Pain and Suffering Damages
Pain and Suffering damages fall under compensatory damages and are non-economic losses suffered. These damages are more subjective and harder to quantify as it includes things like physical pain and emotional distress.
Live Coverage:
Thursday, Feb. 29 – 3:58 p.m.
The Foltz’s attorney announced the estate is seeking $225.3 million in damages from defendant Daylen Dunson. It breaks down as follows:
- Stone Foltz’s conscious pain and suffering – $33,800,000
- Wrongful Death – $54,000,000
- Punitive Damages – $137,500,000
Thursday, Feb. 29 – 2:15 p.m.
Shari Foltz began testifying shortly after 2:00 p.m. against the final defendant in the case; Daylen Dunson.
She shared stories of her memories with Stone and the night she found out about her son being hospitalized.
Thursday, Feb. 29 – 1:50 p.m.
The Foltz family arrived with their attorney Sean Alto for the court case in Columbus, Ohio.
Daylen Dunson has yet to make an appearance.
In an opening statement to the judge, Sean Alto, the Foltz’s attorney, said Dunson is the only defendant who has continued to “blow this case off” and that he has the “upmost culpability” in Stone’s death.
For the latest details on the Foltz case click the link here.
