PITTSBURGH – The family of a man allegedly beaten and killed at a Munhall house party in 2015 has accepted a confidential settlement to resolve a wrongful death lawsuit filed over those events.
John J. Joyce (Administrator of the Estate of Codi Joyce, deceased) first filed in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on May 5, 2017 versus an initial group of six individuals – Devin Hinkle, Ryan Sabo, Connor Stevens, Derek R. Marcone, Jessica Lentz and Daniel J. Lentz – who the family of Joyce claim were all involved in his death in some form or other.
Joyce, a 23 year-old man, was allegedly beaten at a house party in 2015 in Munhall, found unresponsive and later died at a hospital.
The formal complaint filed by Joyce’s father, John J. Joyce, stated that Jessica Lentz was the host of frequent parties at her residence owned by Daniel J. Lentz (her father) who gave her permission to do so. The residence allegedly was known as a place for “younger individuals” to drink. One such party was held on Sept. 27, 2015, and Joyce was in attendance, the suit stated.
Around 1 a.m., Joyce allegedly got into an altercation with Stevens over a Hot Pocket, escalating to the co-defendant, along with the help of Sabo, Hinkle and Marcone, beating and choking Joyce to death. The suit stated that it was determined that cause of death was the result of a multi-system trauma to areas including the head, spine and abdomen.
The suit stated that Hinkle and Stevens were responsible for the choking while Stevens, Marcone and Sabo “repeatedly and violently” beat the decedent. Hinkle allegedly also sustained bite mark defensive wounds in the assault.
After the attack, Marcone checked Joyce’s pulse and could not find a heartbeat, the suit claimed.
The attackers, as well as the party’s host, allegedly failed to call the police and even went so far as to tell other party guests not to call 911. Emergency services were eventually called by neighbors who had heard the commotion of the party, the suit said.
Additionally, Sabo allegedly texted a woman stating that he and Hinkle had killed Joyce. Sabo also sent a picture with tear drops drawn onto his eye, similar to a gang symbol donned by individuals who have committed murder, the suit stated.
UPDATE
Subsequent to more than six years of litigation, plaintiff counsel filed a petition to approve settlement and disbursement of settlement proceeds in the action on July 19, serving to discontinue it. Terms of the settlement were not released, for purposes of confidentiality.
“Petitioner is John J. Joyce, Administrator for the Estate of Codi Joyce, deceased, in this action. The decedent was an adult at the time of his death. The decedent was unmarried and had no children. The decedent is survived by his father, John J. Joyce, the decedent’s mother passing after the decedent’s death. John J. Joyce is the closest living intestate relative to the decedent, and therefore the decedent’s sole heir,” the petition stated.
“On April 7, 2021, per an Order of Court, the Court approved the pro rate joint tortfeasor settlement, releasing defendant Sabo from the case. These funds are being held in plaintiff’s counsel’s escrow account. On June 16, 2023, a general release to settle and discontinue the case as to all the remaining defendants was finalized. This release is confidential. The Administrator for the Estate of Codi Joyce wishes to accept the June 16, 2023 settlement, and discontinue this wrongful death action.”
Joyce’s estate had sought $7 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas case GD-17-007065
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com