Stanton : Agreement Not Reached in Wrongful Death Suit

Attorneys involved in a wrongful death suit against the City of Stanton, stemming from the accidental shooting two years ago of 5-year-old Patrick Mason, failed Friday to reach agreement in a mandatory settlement hearing before Superior Court Judge Lloyd E. Blandpied Jr. in Santa Ana.

On March 3, 1983, a Stanton police officer answered a call from a concerned neighbor and entered an apartment he said he thought was being burglarized. Hearing the sound of voices, the officer, Anthony Sperl, kicked opened the door to the dimly lit bedroom. The boy, who was watching television, reached up from behind the bed and pointed a toy pistol at Sperl, the officer said. Sperl fired one shot, fatally wounding the boy in the neck.

According to Richard Farnell, who is representing Patrick’s mother, Patricia Ridge, and Stephen Yagman, who is representing Sperl, the 45-minute session resulted only in the setting of a May 28 trial date for the complex suit, which includes several cross-complaints for recovery of damages. Other lawyers attending the conference represented a man who claims to be the boy’s natural father, the City of Stanton, several other police officers, the convenience store where the toy gun was purchased as well as the manufacturers of the toy gun.