Attorneys serve Mepham school officials with civil lawsuit papers

News 12 Long Island ^ | Oct 24, 2003 | New 12 long island

[I still care]

(10/23/03) BELLMORE - Attorneys for two of the Mepham hazing victims say the school district and the coaches should be held accountable for the alleged sexual assault that took place during a summer football camp. Attorneys have served the school, the district, several administrators and coaches with legal papers. The papers will put them on notice for civil lawsuits for the injuries their clients suffered during the hazing attacks. Three Mepham varsity players have been charged with sodomizing younger teammates with broomsticks, pinecones and golf balls during the camp in Wayne County, Pennsylvania.

Attorneys say coaches and school supervisors outwardly fostered a climate allowing, even encouraging hazing. Attorney's also say they're as much responsible for the assaults as the three defendants.

[I still care]

All nuttiness is breaking loose over this. There is a big protest today at the school by the "God Hates Fags" church, and a large police presence. I know someone who lives on the block, will try to update.

[CatoRenasci]

I'm not a big fan of nutty lawsuits, but in this case, I think the coaches, as directly in charge of the camp, and the school district, under the theory of respondiat superior ought to be held responsible, jointly and severally with the perpetrators and their parents, for the outrageous assaults.

The perpetrators should be held criminally liable as well, of course, but the victims of these crimes are entitled to compensation not only for their actual injuries, but for pain and suffering. What is the value of being anally raped with a broom handle? Those guys will never be the same. I would think the facts as published would support verdicts in the $5-10 million each range, and fairly so. If I represented the parents of perps, I'd advise them to settle as quickly as possible, before the criminal convictions (which would be admissable) come in; likewise, I'd advise the coaches and the district to settle damn quick in the $1 million plus range.

[zencycler]

There is a big protest today at the school by the "God Hates Fags" church

No, that protest is happening 3 days from now on October 27. The event at the school today is a walk-a-thon aimed at expressing solidarity for the victims of this event, and raising money for a local charity that serves persons (primarilly youth) in crisis.

I know because my son, a Mepham senior, initially proposed and subsequently organized this event in which over 100 persons participated today. (Freeper Father Bragging Alert)

[I still care]

Good for you! When my friend told me about it, Monday was mentioned, but at the time my brain was still on Friday...