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Times reporters subpoenaed in lawsuit against school district
By JACOB H. FRIES
Published June 6, 2007
Two St. Petersburg Times reporters have been subpoenaed to testify in a lawsuit filed by the family of a 16-year-old girl who was killed in 2005 moments after getting off a school bus. The parents of Rebecca McKinney, a Clearwater High School student, are suing the Pinellas school district, alleging that it set up unsafe bus stops and failed to train employees properly. Their attorney said he needs the reporters to testify because district superintendent Clayton Wilcox refuses to be deposed in the case. The Times, however, filed a motion this week seeking to quash the subpoenas of reporters Robert Farley and Thomas Tobin. "In this incident, the Times' obligation as a citizen is to hold fast to its First Amendment responsibilities, " Times attorney Alison Steele said. "This is one of the situations that we have to assert our independence and act as independent observers and not investigators for or against any party." Steven Yerrid, the McKinneys' attorney, said he was reluctant to serve the subpoenas but hoped that the move might persuade Wilcox to be deposed for the suit. "We were just trying to find a way to get this case to trial, " Yerrid said. "These people deserve to have their day in court." Rebecca was struck Oct. 8, 2005, as she crossed McMullen-Booth Road with her older sister, Mary, and another student. Moments earlier, they had been let off at a school bus stop that forced them to cross a busy, multilane road. A long-standing district directive prohibited district routers from assigning such stops. Rebecca died from her injuries two days later at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. School Board attorney Jim Robinson said Yerrid has not shown why he needs to depose Wilcox, when he could simply speak with other district officials. Ultimately, Robinson said, the district believes it is not liable in Rebecca's death. "We have a legal bus stop, " Robinson said. "Once a person leaves our bus stop and leaves our control, there is case law that says we are not responsible." A trial, scheduled for July 9, has been postponed until legal issues are resolved.
[Last modified June 6, 2007, 01:20:43]
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by DeeDee
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06/06/07 09:32 PM
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That bus stop was NOT safe and Pinellas school bus drivers ARE trained properly. The drivers follow protocols that the DISTRICT sets. Why is it okay for Brooke Ingoldsby's parents to get millions of dollars for HER death but not Rebecca's parents?
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by Jessie
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06/06/07 02:21 PM
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Think about a superintendent who is compassionate for these people (they know it too). He can't side with others in extreme legal cases like this; the school attorney pointed out the facts, and Wilcox must protect all children of the district.
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by laura
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06/06/07 02:02 PM
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he's a republican. They don't believe they have to answer up. They must be forced to do so. A few days in jail might change his mind.
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by sosad
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06/06/07 11:17 AM
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If at the time it was a legal bus stop there is little the family can sue for:except MONEY of course.
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by Tony
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06/06/07 10:13 AM
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Wilcox is turning into a worm. They know they are responsible. They killed this girl and don't want to face the truth. Why have they settled on other cases much like this one? I am very fustrated with the school board and Wilcox. Why not be disposed?
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by Connie
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06/06/07 09:05 AM
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How can the district claim it was a safe bus stop? I believe this district is trying to cover up a mistake here. Why did my daughter (who also went to Clearwater) get assigned a NEW bus stop within a week of Becky's death? Think about it!
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