A jury has heard testimony this month in the suit filed by the parents of Iofemi Hightower, Dashon Harvey and Terrance Aeriel. The three friends and the survivor had attended or were considering attending Delaware State University when they were slain behind Newark's Mount Vernon School in August 2007.
The killings prompted a host of anti-crime measures in Newark. The Associated Press isn't naming the survivor because of sexual assault charges against two defendants.
The families' lawsuit claims the school district was negligent for leaving the schoolyard gates open at night when it was a known gang hangout.
All six defendants are serving prison terms.
