Judge to decide whether to dismiss lawsuit from 2 Va. Tech students’ families by Jan. 15

Judge to rule on Va. Tech lawsuits by Jan. 15

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. — A judge is saying he will decide by Jan. 15 whether to dismiss a lawsuit by the families of two students slain in the mass shootings at Virginia Tech.

The families claim the school delayed warning the students about an earlier shooting on campus and they are seeking $10 million. Circuit Judge William Alexander said he will issue a written ruling and address requests for sovereign immunity from some officials.

The parents of Erin Peterson and Julia Pryde sued the state, the school and mental health officials as well as the estate of the student gunman, Seung-Hui Cho (sung-wee joh). The families have said they want someone held accountable.

Most families accepted a share of an $11 million state settlement.

Cho killed 32 people before taking his own life in April 2007.