A settlement has been reached with two of six parties in a wrongful death lawsuit resulting from a 2014 shootout.
The Papers Inc and Stacey Staley, also known as Stacey Page, reached an agreement in the case that sought damages in the Aug. 25, 2014, death of Gary Helman.
Gary’s brother, Larry, and mother, Atta Belle, filed a wrongful death suit in Kosciusko Circuit Court and in?federal court.
As a result of the settlements, cases in the local and federal suits against The Papers Inc. and Staley were dismissed.
The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
The lawsuit remains active against the three bond recovery agents – Tadd Martin, Michael Thomas and Daniel Foster – as well as their employer, Barnett’s Bail Bonds Inc., of Warsaw.
The remaining defendants have 60 days to amend their filing in the case.
Gary Helman was killed during a shootout at his mother’s house near Cromwell when three bail recovery agents went to apprehend him on a warrant.
Martin and Larry Helman were injured in the gunfight.
Staley had been at the home prior to the shootout. The suit argued Staley performed an interview with the Helmans in order to provide information to the bail recovery agents.
Staley provided facts about the layout of the house, the number of people there and the clothes they were wearing to the agent, the suit states.
The suit alleges Staley’s goal was publicity for her news website, Stacey Page Online, owned by The Papers, and that Martin wore a body cam for the purpose of media use.
Staley and the bond recovery agents were warned by local law enforcement not to attempt the arrest on Gary due the possibility of violence, the suit states.
After the shootout, Staley continued to write articles on the website to “capitalize upon the tragedy of the situation and the media attention that had been garnered by it.”
The articles included stories about her exclusive interviews with Gary, and promised future articles with interviews with the bond recovery agents involved in the shootout, the suit states.
After the interview, the agents acted on information provided by Staley and went to the residence.
In a written response, attorneys for the Helmans stated, “The argument of the defense seems to be that because a warrant had been issued for Gary Helman, it was perfectly fine for The Papers and their employee to work in concert with armed bail recovery agents to arrange for a violent home invasion.”
On Thursday, the revamped Stacey Page Online, now known as InkFree News, reported the story with the headline: Settlement Reached, All Claims Against The Papers Inc., Dismissed.
Staley left the company shortly after the shooting.
