Settlement ordered in wrongful death suit of Northwestern football player

By Hubert Vigilla

Published on August 16, 2005

Circuit Court Judge Kathy Flanagan ordered the out-of-court settlement in the four-year-old case stating that Will's insistence on going to trial would amount to "legal suicide." Flanagan ruled that by pursuing a jury trial, Will would not be acting in the best interests of Wheeler's half-brothers, all three of whom are minors.

An emotional Will felt that being forced to accept the settlement was unjust and she expected Flanagan's ruling to be overturned. After Judge Flanagan left the bench, an emotional Will spent five minutes sobbing in the back of the courtroom.

Wheeler died during preseason football practice on August 3, 2001. Following his death, university officials sued the manufacturers and distributors of Ephedra supplements that they believe led to his death. At this time, the university is still exploring ways in which to proceed against the companies. In November last year, a federal judge in New Jersey awarded Wheeler's family a $100,000 settlement from three dietary supplement companies.

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