COCC dorm stabbing victim sues school for $3 million

A Central Oregon Community College student who was stabbed at least a dozen times in the back in his dorm room on Halloween of last year has filed a $3 million negligence lawsuit against the school, claiming it dismissed his requests to be moved away from his “violent and threatening” roommate.

Eric Norgaard, then 22, was arrested that night on attempted murder and other charges and is scheduled to enter a plea to those charges later this month.

James Briles, who was 18 at the time, filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Deschutes County Circuit Court, claiming “COCC breached the duties of care” that it owed him.

One of Briles’ attorneys, Darian Stanford, told NewsChannel 21 Friday the last year has been tough on his client.

“It’s going to be a long road to recovery, that’s for sure,” Stanford said by phone.

COCC spokesman Ron Paradis said the college cannot comment on the pending case.

“We helped the young man with his recovery the best we could and welcomed him back to school, and wish him the best,” Paradis said.

Paradis said Briles is enrolled in the college this quarter.

“We do ask students to formally request a roommate change, and then the staff will work with the student or students involved to figure out what’s best and if appropriate, make a change,” he explained.

Briles noted in the lawsuit he was sitting at his desk in the Juniper Hall dorm with his back to Norgaard when his roommate attacked. He said he underwent several surgeries at St. Charles Bend over the ensuing six days “and nearly died.”

Briles, who grew up in Benton County, said Norgaard originally was not his roommate but was moved after Norgaard “complained about the messiness of his original roommate.”

“Right away, there were problems,” the five-page lawsuit said, noting that Norgarrd often talked :loudly and angrily to himself about seemingly nonsensical things.”

He said Norgaard’s “erratic behavior … was consistent with someone suffering from mental illness,” and caused him “to avoid his dorm room as much as possible.” He said the yelling prompted female residents of the room next door to contact COCC officials “with concerns for their safety.”

In fact, Briles noted, about a week before the stabbing, Norgaard “screamed repeatedly and violently’ in the dorm lobby, prompting a call to campus security.” That and other earlier issues prompted Briles to “demand a roommate change,” saying “he was afraid for his safety.” But the school failed to do so.

On Halloween night, Briles returned to his room around midnight and took a seat at his desk. During the attack, “Norgaard coldly uttered, ‘Happy Halloween’ to Briles, the lawsuit claims.

“Briles was somehow able to crawl into the hallway outside his dorm room,” where one student called 911 after realizing “this scene was not a Halloween prank – Mr. Briles was near death.”

Since the stabbing, Briles said he is still seeking treatment “for the ongoing psychological trauma” from that night.

“Campus safety is an issue on the minds of people across the country, and in particular, Oregonians right now,” Stanford said. “Is the college doing everything it reasonably can? Or can they do better? And that’s the question this case is asking.”

The lawsuit claims the college should have taken “proper precautions,” such as no roommate, or “warning or at least educating other students about his condition and how to respond in the event of any episode.”

NewsChannel 21 asked Paradis about the college’s policies regarding student requests to switch roommates.

“We do ask students to formally request a roommate change, and then the staff will work with the student or students involved to figure out what’s best and if appropriate, make a change,” Paradis said.

COCC would not say whether Briles filed a formal request to the housing department.

The college said it did not change any policies concerning roommate requests following the tragedy and no staff members were fired or resigned as a result of the stabbing.

The suit seeks economic damages of $500,000 and non-economic damages of $2.5 million. Read it here: James Briles vs. COCC lawsuit (PDF)

COCC opened a new dorm this fall and houses about 250 students. Last year, about 100 students lived in the Juniper Residence Hall.

Norgaard is expected to enter his plea Nov. 16. The case has been delayed as he has undergone several mental evaluations.