HOUSTON, Texas – It’s the eighth day in the civil trial against the parents of accused gunman Dimitrios Pagourtzis where we heard from more parents of the victims who were killed during the 2018 mass shooting.
Pagourtzis, who is currently incompetent to stand trial, is accused of opening fire at the Santa Fe High School in 2018, killing 10 people. The parents and loved ones of the 10 killed are now calling for his parents to be held responsible for the shooting, as well.
KPRC 2 has covered the trial since day 1, bringing you extensive details from the courtroom.
4:22 p.m. - Court went into recess for the day and will be back Thursday at 9 a.m.
3:40 p.m. - Pam Stanich, the mother of Jared Black, who was also killed in the shooting, was called to the stand
Plaintiff attorney Clint McGuire asked Stanich how has she been affected since losing her child.
Stanich said she has lost her entire identity after learning that her son was fatally shot twice in the back of the head. His body was found inside of a storage room.
Since the shooting, she has only been back to the school twice for walk-throughs.
As for Stanich’s health since losing her son, she said she had a heart attack two weeks before her 40th birthday. She detailed how every day of her life feels empty and the days are just “really bad.”
1:55 p.m. - Chase Yarbrough, the Santa Fe HS shooting survivor who was shot six times, takes the stand
Plaintiff’s attorney Sherry Scott Chandler began questioning Chase. Chase described his life before May 18, 2018, as carefree and focused on getting to college. He said he was outgoing and found it easy to make friends. On the morning of the shooting, Chase said he ate breakfast at 5:30 a.m. and arrived at school at 6:30 a.m., waiting with friends until the doors opened. He went to Art Room 2, where he sat with Chris Stone and Hunter, working on an end-of-semester project.
Chase recounted hearing keys jingling in the hallway and seeing someone wearing a trench coat, which he assumed was DP. Shortly after, he heard commotion and realized something bad was happening. He heard gunshots and people screaming but did not see anything specific. Chase said he doesn’t remember being shot.
Chase said he was taken by ambulance to Clear Lake Regional Hospital. He was in pain, particularly in his neck, the top of his head, and his ankle. While in the hospital, a preacher prayed with him, and a doctor informed him that he had been shot, with shotgun pellets hitting several parts of his body. The medical team decided it was safer to leave the pellets in his body rather than remove them.
Since the shooting, Chase said he has now been diagnosed with PTSD and depression. He added that he struggles with concentration due to constant movement around him and cannot sit with his back to a door. He also has trouble sleeping and experiences nightmares.
He said his life has completely changed.
After Chandler passed the witness, Chase was questioned about his knowledge of Dimitrios, describing Dimirios as a goofy kid when younger. Chase couldn’t recall if they took any classes together and didn’t have a strong impression of Dimitrios’ reputation or social interactions at school.
Dimitrio’s court-appointed attorney, Robert Torres, then asked Chase about his memories of Dimitrios.
After that, no further questions were asked, and Chase was allowed to step down.
1:20 p.m. - Chris Stone’s father takes the stand
Chris Stone’s father, also named Chris, then took the stand, questioned by the plaintiff’s attorney Clint McGuire.
Chris shared fond memories of his son through pictures and recounted the tragic day of the shooting. He received a call from his ex-wife about Chris being shot, rushed to the scene, and followed an ambulance to the hospital, but couldn’t find him after checking several hospitals. Eventually, he returned to the school, where, after hours of waiting, an FBI agent informed them that Chris was dead. When asked if his life had ever been the same, Chris responded that he spends every day trying to remember his son’s life.
Defense attorney Lori Laird questioned Chris Stone’s father. When asked who he thought was responsible for the shooting, Chris said he preferred to let things play out but held Dimitrios Pagourtzis (DP) responsible. He acknowledged that there were many mistakes by the school and felt that, as a father, he would have handled the law enforcement response differently. Regarding DP’s parents, Chris expressed doubt about their attentiveness and stated that they should have known their son was dangerous.
1:13 p.m. - Court back in season
Rosie remained on the stand and defense attorney Lori Laird resumed questioning, asking about Yanas’ opinion on the law enforcement response. Yanas felt it could have been better but acknowledged she didn’t have all the details. Laird had no further questions, and Yanas was allowed to step down.
Noon - Court goes on lunch break
11:10 a.m. - Rosie Stone will not be cross-examined by defense attorney Lori Laird
Clint McGuire finished questioning Rosie Stone, and defense attorney Lori Laird began her cross-examination. Rosie stated she filed the lawsuit because she sent her son to school on May 18 and received him back in a body bag.
Laird questioned Rosie about the shooter’s parents’ awareness of their son’s actions, to which Rosie responded that parents should know. When asked if an almost 18-year-old could order items online without their parent’s knowledge, Yanas disagreed.
Regarding social media, Yanas acknowledged that the shooter didn’t signal his intentions on social media as far as she knew and that she was unaware of when he opened his Facebook account or if he blocked his parents.
Defense attorney Lori Laird asked Rosie if she understood that Rose and Tony Pagourtzis had not been charged with a crime, to which Rosie responded, “Yes. Not yet.” Laird then asked if Rosie was trying to influence the jury, causing a gasp in the courtroom. The judge stopped the questioning and decided to take a lunch break.
11:08 a.m. - Court back in session
10:40 a.m. - Court on break
10:07 a.m. - Rosie Stone, the mother of Chris Stone is called to the stand
Rosie Stone, the mother of Chris Stone, who was killed during the Santa Fe shooting, is currently being questioned by the plaintiff’s lead attorney Clint McGuire. They are examining emails from the shooter’s mother, describing Dimitrios Pagourtzis as a quiet, non-social kid.
Clint McGuire then focused on the impact on Rosie’s family. Rosie expressed feeling lost and empty without her son Chris, describing him as a significant part of their family. She said she strives to keep his memory alive daily.
Rosie confirmed that Chris’ death has deeply affected his sisters, creating a significant void in their lives. She also said that this has impacted Chris’ father, as Chris was his only son, and with his death, his name died.