Family Of Man Accused Of Stabbing Half-Brothers Settles Suit Against Western Psych
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) -- A couple who claims their son should have been committed the day before he stabbed his 11-year-old twin half-brothers, killing one, have settled their lawsuit against Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.
An Allegheny County jury was seated to hear the lawsuit before the settlement was announced Tuesday between Western Psych and Troy and Tiffany Hill, of Penn Hills.
Tyrel Hill, now a sophomore in college, and his family left the City-County Building late Tuesday afternoon knowing they would not have to relive the events of Aug. 28, 2007 in a lengthy trial.
The last time his father, Troy Hill, Sr., faced cameras was in a tearful interview outside Children's Hospital in 2007 while Tyrel fought for his life. His father blamed the mental health system then.
A few days earlier, Tyrel and his brother Tyron, who were both 11 at the time, were stabbed in their Penn Hills home. Tyron died as a result of that stabbing.
Police arrested Troy Hill, Jr., now 26, and charged him with the attack. He has yet to be found mentally competent to stand trial.
His family claimed when they tried to get him committed because of his bizarre behavior, they were told merely to observe him and report any violence.
A civil suit was to determine whether the experts had an obligation to do more or whether they met their obligation. The jury cooled their heels in a hallway at the hour they were supposed to begin hearing the case, but then the settlement came.
"We're very gratified that the case could be resolved amicably, and we wish the family the best," said John Conti, who represents the hospital.
Neither Conti nor Neil Rosen, who represents the family, would detail terms of the agreement or what led to the last-minute agreement.
However, Rosen said, "We're very happy to get the matter resolved for our clients. We think that what happened to them was a terrible, terrible wrong, and the wrong has now been righted."
Troy Hill, Jr. has yet to go to trial in criminal court, but his medications and progress are being monitored by the courts.
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