Tuesday, December 20, 2005
One of the accused students has been disciplined, the superintendent said.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Two Howland High School students have filed lawsuits accusing fellow students of assault, one at home and the other at the school.
In one, Daniel Hall of Morningside Road, Niles, sued Daniel Castle, Warwick Southeast, Warren; Randil and Susan Wilson, Castle's parents of the same address; and several John Does. The suits were filed Friday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
The Hall suit says Daniel Castle made racial remarks and physical threats against Hall at the school, and that Daniel Castle punched and beat Hall at Hall's house.
It says Hall received injuries and incurred medical and hospital expenses because of the confrontation.
The suit says Castle's parents were negligent in not teaching and controlling their son, and the John Does are other juveniles who collaborated in the assault.
It adds that because of the emotional and psychological harm caused by the harassment, threats, racial slurs and physical beating, Hall withdrew from the school.
Howland Superintendent John Rubesich said he was unaware of any incidents involving the individuals named. The suit seeks more than $25,000 from the defendants plus costs. The case is assigned to Judge W. Wyatt McKay.
Police called to school
In the second case, Dominic Iacozili through his parent James Iacozili, Avalon Drive Southeast, Warren, filed suit, naming as defendants Brandon Vestrand through his parent, Lori Powell, Weir Road Northeast; and Joseph Prezioso through his parent Lawrence R. Prezioso, Altura Drive Northeast.
In that case, Iacozili's suit says Vestrand assaulted Dominic Iacozili at the high school on Shaffer Drive Northeast on Dec. 5. It says Vestrand hit Dominic in the side of the head with a closed fist and slammed his head into a locker, causing head and facial injuries and a permanent disability.
The suit says Joseph Prezioso asked Vestrand to commit the assault.
The Iacozilis seek compensatory and punitive damages of $10,000 from Vestrand, Powell and Joseph Prezioso, the suit says. That case has been assigned to Judge John Stuard.
Rubesich said Howland police were called to the school in that confrontation and that one pupil had been disciplined but not expelled. He said there had been a rumor that one person had asked the other to commit the assault, but he was not aware of any facts supporting that claim.
Rubesich said he believes that when such incidents occur, it is important for the parents to take steps to ensure that their child doesn't commit future acts. He also encourages parents to file charges with police where necessary to drive home the point that such an act could be viewed as criminal.
runyan@vindy.com