Could UA Lawsuit Be Moot?
By: Alex Flippin
Updated: May 1, 2007
A decision made in a sexual harassment suit against the University of Arkansas on Friday may have some affect on a current case against the university. John Terry is suing the U of A and Chancellor John White because he claims White failed to properly investigate E-mails sent to Mitch Mustain by a friend of Houston Nutt. The case decided on Friday, however, granted Chancellor White qualified immunity. Meaning he is immune from legal action because, as a public official, he cant be held responsible for discretionary actions taken in dealing with the issue.
Eddie Christian Jr. represents John Terry and say he has no problem moving forward with his case because, he says, qualified immunity has nothing to do with it. He says a sexual harassment suit obviously requires discretionary action, while his clients case only required the chancellor to take action. Since discretionary action is a major part of a qualified immunity claim, Christian plans to move ahead full steam.
