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Judge dismisses Severson
suit
By Dave Stephens
Assistant
Campus Editor
The wrongful death lawsuit brought against Purdue
by the parents of a slain residence hall counselor has been dismissed.
Judge George Heid of Tippecanoe Superior Court
2 ruled in favor of the case's defendants by granting their motion of
summary judgement. Purdue and Tippecanoe County, along with Purdue's
board of trustees and residence hall officials, were named in the lawsuit
filed by the parents of Jay Severson, who was killed in his Wiley Hall
room on Oct. 16, 1996. Jarrod Eskew, a freshman who Severson caught
in possession of cocaine the night before, shot and killed Severson
with a sawed-off shotgun. Eskew later killed himself.
The lawsuit, which was filed by Don and Sandy Severson
three years after the death of their son, alleged that Purdue and the
Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department failed to protect Severson after
he was threatened by Eskew. Defendants in the case alleged that the
University is a part of the state of Indiana and was protected from
such claims. They also claimed Severson had failed to follow proper
procedure in reporting the incident to police.
Andy Wirick, lawyer for Don and Sandy, said the
motion for summary judgement was granted on the basis of legal issues
— and not on the actions of Severson.
"Whether or not Purdue can claim that it is an
arm of the state was one of the major issues that was looked at in the
motion," said Wirick.
Wirick added that although he was disappointed
with the judge's decision, it doesn't mean the case is necessarily over.
"At this point, under the trial rule, we have 30
days to file a motion to reconsider," said Wirick. "Or we can try to
take it on appeal."
Wirick said he plans to discuss the available options
with the parents of Severson and to make a decision within the next
20 days.
Joe Bennett, vice president of University Relations,
said Purdue is pleased with the judge's decision.
"The judge agreed with Purdue's argument," said
Bennett. "We continue to feel sympathy with the family and the whole
Wiley family that was involved with the incident, and we're glad this
issue has been resolved."
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Judge
dismisses Severson suit
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CAMPUS DESK PHONE:
(765)
743-1111 ext. 253
Campus editor:
Laura Pelner
Assistant campus
editors: Kurt Esposito,
Dave Stephens
To
send a letter to the editor, please email campus@purdueexponent.org
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