I didn't see it as disrespectful - but a valid criticism on how fast our news cycles go.
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News Guest dies, found unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers
- Thread starter mkt
- Start date
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
I feel similarly toward many of the more violent deaths we hear about in the media for one whole 24-hour news cycle then never again. They’re probably all worthy of more attention. I did not realize criticism of how quickly we forget, for example, a mass shooting somehow makes light of the lives lost. Quite the opposite is the intention. But, if we mourn a 10-year old for one day at most, I’m not sure what was expected here.
I'd assume it's just a neutral process.
flynnibus
Premium Member
Yup - I didn’t see it covered… but it’s here
Attorney Ben Crump Condemns Universal Decision to Reopen Stardust Racers Amid Ongoing Death Investigation - Ben Crump
Attorneys and the family will hold a Monday news conference in Orlando ORLANDO, Fla. (October 3, 2025) – Nationally renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, issued the following statement after Universal announced it will reopen the Stardust...
bencrump.com
Clearly uni is moving w/o buy in from the family… so no settlement at this point.
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I noticed something interesting while taking a peek at another theme park incident: Burkhalter v. Disney. That was the case back in 2019/2020 where a 69-year-old woman was arrested by OCSO at Magic Kingdom after Disney security flagged her CBD oil. After the criminal charges were dismissed, she later filed a civil suit with Ben Crump as her attorney.
That’s the same attorney running the PR offensive against Universal right now.
Anyway, the suit itself was a mess. It read more like a political attack speech than an actual lawsuit, with facts being optional and opinions getting equal billing. It was loaded with conjecture, irrelevant points, and flat-out mistakes - two easy examples being that Disney doesn’t own Tokyo Disneyland and has never owned or operated a park in Taiwan.
The case went nowhere in either state or federal court. The federal case wasn’t even dismissed on the merits - it was tossed because Crump’s team couldn’t follow basic procedure, missing mandatory disclosures after being warned. The judge even noted his firm had failed to comply with orders in another related case. The fact that they haven't refiled 5 years later is equally damning.
If this is who the Rodriguez Zavala family has chosen to represent them, they don’t stand much of a chance if things actually hit a courtroom. Crump’s power is outside the courtroom - he plays to the media and wins in the court of public opinion. Inside the courtroom, Universal’s attorneys will wipe the floor with him… if he even manages to follow the rules.
Best case for the family is an out-of-court settlement. Worst case, they trusted this to a shyster.
That’s the same attorney running the PR offensive against Universal right now.
Anyway, the suit itself was a mess. It read more like a political attack speech than an actual lawsuit, with facts being optional and opinions getting equal billing. It was loaded with conjecture, irrelevant points, and flat-out mistakes - two easy examples being that Disney doesn’t own Tokyo Disneyland and has never owned or operated a park in Taiwan.
The case went nowhere in either state or federal court. The federal case wasn’t even dismissed on the merits - it was tossed because Crump’s team couldn’t follow basic procedure, missing mandatory disclosures after being warned. The judge even noted his firm had failed to comply with orders in another related case. The fact that they haven't refiled 5 years later is equally damning.
If this is who the Rodriguez Zavala family has chosen to represent them, they don’t stand much of a chance if things actually hit a courtroom. Crump’s power is outside the courtroom - he plays to the media and wins in the court of public opinion. Inside the courtroom, Universal’s attorneys will wipe the floor with him… if he even manages to follow the rules.
Best case for the family is an out-of-court settlement. Worst case, they trusted this to a shyster.
That it is the weekend is what it tells.ua more than anything . He made comment on it. Maybe more on Monday.
But also probably now settlement discussions more than cut throat.
flynnibus
Premium Member
Both these posts are out of date
Crump put out a PR on the 3rd.
Hopefully he'll back it with a poorly written lawsuitBoth these posts are out of date
That would probably be an improvement.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
At a minimum they probably need the completed report from the medical examiner to close out the investigation.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
Another embarrassing press conference...more hot air comes outta Crump than from a hand dryer.
I'd rather not listen to it
Care to share highlights (lowlights)
Imagine Saul Goodman's showmanship with Lionel Hutz's competency.
Almost 5pm, no suit filed yet.
The report is not, strictly, required for a suit, but would likely make things easier.
flynnibus
Premium Member
You keep saying this...
Why would they file now? Nothing they can do will force the state or ME to do anything quicker.. their only leverage is on UNI and Mack. UNI played their hand.. they wanted the coaster open. Crump can't do anything to stop that, suit or not. His pressure is only in the public eye and financial pain. UNI called their cards on the public opinion.. and it looks like our 24hr news cycle doesn't care.
I think it's in Crump's interest to wait. It's like letting them take the rope.. the more UNI stonewalls them, the more ammo Crump collects.. the more changes UNI makes, the more ammo Crump collects. And what they get once they do get a judge involved doesn't get compromised by waiting. So what's the rush?
They still gotta get the state and ME to conclude.. then they'll likely confront UNI again, and THEN if they don't cooperate, threaten with the suit, if no successful negotiation, then they file.. and then start the new round of pressure to drag out the stuff UNI doesn't want to let go.. and try to force a negotation before discovery.. and if THAT doesn't result in a deal.. then they drag UNI by throwing a big a net as possible.. and again try to force a deal before trial.
I don't see how this ever gets that far.. I think it boils down to if there is a number big enough that just makes the family go away without other concessions..
