Three years ago, Vintage High School graduate Jonathan Lefler-Panela was stabbed to death outside a San Diego bar. Later, Michael Sullivan, 28, was convicted of Lefler-Panela’s murder and was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison.

On Thursday, the case took a new turn with the announcement of a $495,000 out-of-court settlement awarded to Lefler-Panela’s family. The money comes from Sam Kholi Enterprises, owners of the bar Sam’s by the Sea, where the fight between Sullivan and Lefler-Panela began.

San-Diego-based attorney Thomas Penfield represented Judith Lefler and Anthony Panela, Jonathan’s mother and father, in the wrongful death suit against Sam Kholi. Penfield said that the bar could have taken numerous steps to prevent Lefler-Panela’s death.

On Jan. 8, 2006, Lefler-Panela and Sullivan were at Sam’s by the Sea and began an argument that turned into a fist fight. The bar’s staff escorted both men outside, where the fight continued.

“Sullivan … then attacked Lefler-Panela as he spoke on his cell phone by his car in a parking stall a few feet away from the bar,” Penfield said. “A fist fight ensued, and as Sullivan lost the advantage, he pulled out a knife, stabbing Lefler-Panela 17 times.”

Penfield said that the bar’s bouncers should have made sure that Sullivan left the area and should have escorted Lefler-Panela and his girlfriend, Nicole Hayes, to their vehicle. In addition, the bouncers should have patrolled the area outside of the bar after the fight, he said.

Judith Lefler, the victim’s mother, said the settlement does little to ease the pain of the loss of her son.

“My primary purpose was for accountability on the side of the bar,” she said. “I don’t ever want this to happen to someone else’s child. It was really about making other bars know that they can now be held liable for what happens to their patrons.”

Lefler still mourns her son, whom she described as “very full of life.” Lefler-Panela had planned to go into real estate, said his mother, and had moved to San Diego after serving in the U.S. Navy. He was born in Marin and moved to Napa when he was 8 years old.

“His friends described him as the heart of the group,” she said. “He was also a guy’s guy. He was very strong (and into) bodybuilding.”

To help cope with her loss, Lefler has bonded with parents whose children have also been killed in acts of violence, she said. Now living in Benicia, Lefler said she is still in the healing process and has no plans for the settlement money.

“We hope this settlement will raise awareness amongst restaurant and bar owners about their responsibility toward their customers and to the public,” Penfield said. “Many countries mandate bouncer training, but the United States does not. Hopefully, cases such as this will make people aware of the importance of proper training and supervision of security personnel.”