<p>I am sympathetic for the heartbreak of the Spierer family, but I am not certain what they hope to accomplish with the lawsuit. They say they are not looking for money, but rather answers. The boys have given statements to the police. The Speirer’s do not like the answers (or lack of answers) the boys have given, but I doubt the responses are going to change.</p>
<p>God bless these poor folks. their pain is to the core. I don’t blame them for trying to do ANYTHING to find out what happened to their dear beloved DD.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s hopeless but they are trying to prevent it from becoming a cold case since it’s getting close to two years. It’s hard not to blame the victim or the wealthy parents but nobody deserves that fate.</p>
<p>I can totally understand this. A lot of people in Indiana think that those boys know what happened to Lauren. Maybe being under oath in a trial will get to some of that information… ?</p>
<p>I’m not admitted to practice in Indiana, but usually the rules of evidence are quite different in criminal and civil cases. In criminal cases, you can plead the 5th. In civil cases, you can also plead the 5th but the court or jury can draw the adverse inference, i.e., that you did something wrong. If you say you won’t answer because it might incriminate you, you’ll often lose a civil case and the plaintiff will get damages. The girl’s family may feel that this may lead someone who was an accessory after the fact but was not involved in the murder to crack and say what happened.</p>
<p>The boys have already given statements to the police. I doubt they will change anything they have already said – at most just say that there memory has faded. The lawsuit also opens up an attack on the victim. So far the Spierers have been saying that any allegations of drug use by Lauren is irrelevant. In a claim for damages, I suspect these issues will be relevant.</p>
<p>You’re right, kayf. My nephew is a rising senior at IU. Per him, she was definitely known to be a hard core partier (cocaine esp). That issue will definitely come up, so I hope the parents are ready for that. It’s not really a secret. Also per him, the feeling in Bloomington is that something bad happened probably by accident and the boys covered it up. Who knows? But I can certainly sympathize with the parents (whose grief is so palpable whenever you see them on camera or in photos) wanting to try to get a little more information.</p>
<p>Emerald, I do not see how the boys could be charged with Involuntary Manslaughter. She was seen leaving the local bar sloshed. I don’t think anyone can prove where she got any drugs or alcohol that contributed to that condition. I think it is a long way to get civil negligence.</p>
<p>yeah, I agree that they likely are suing in civil court for the sole purpose of trying to get more information out of the boys. And not for any real monetary relief. Surely they are just heartbroken not knowing what happened to their daughter, or where she is.</p>
<p>Who knows, maybe one of them will break if in fact they actually know more and are faced with having to hire lawyers and proceed to trial. And turn on the other two? (Seems to be my prevailing thinking on all these cases, haha – just making fun of myself).</p>
<p>I know that, ek. I just hope they’re more than ready for the possible character assassination/implications that will accompany discussion of her drug/alcohol use.</p>
<p>I do hope something good will happen , but personally I don’t see this lawsuit helping with that. Scary if this young woman was heavily into cocaine and apparently drinking rather heavily. </p>
<p>As a parent, would be heartbroken and not know what to do either. :(</p>
<p>I suspect the bar will be added to the lawsuit if they served her while she was apparently intoxicated, plus if she is under aged and was served alcohol at all! So very sad for everyone.</p>
<p>It is unfortunate that our society still blames the victim when a young girl/ woman is raped/assaulted/ murdered, but should that be a reason to hold back from seeking justice?</p>
<p>Sainthood does not protect your children from being harmed.
Our children are people- I dont expect people to be perfect.</p>
<p>I think most likely that the boy who “says he saw her walk off by herself” really knows what happened and it wasn’t that she walked off by herself. I think something happened to her in that apartment and he is covering his own butt. Unfortunately I don’t think the parents will get the answers that they want. However perhaps this case will at least make a little harder for him to forget about it.</p>
<p>This must be heartbreaking for the parents. It actually might be good if the bar does get sued…maybe the added press will make other bars leery of serving drunk patrons.</p>