Widener Law Prof Whose Hypothetical Involved Dean's Murder Now Sues Her in Real-Life Defamation Case
A tenured associate law professor at Widener University School of Law has sued the dean over statements she made during an earlier battle over a controversial classroom hypothetical.
Lawrence Connell contends that dean Linda Ammons falsely characterized him as racist and sexist in administrative proceedings when she sought to oust him from his job of 26 years after he used a hypothetical involving her murder, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The complaint was filed last week in Sussex County Superior Court, in Delaware. Connell, who is white, and his lawyer, Thomas Neuberger, contend that Ammons, who is black, targeted him because of his conservative beliefs, according to the Associated Press.
In a statement, Ammons said she hasn’t yet seen the complaint and doesn’t intend to battle the case in the media. “However, if there is a lawsuit, it will be vigorously defended and I look forward to the truth coming out in a court of law,” she says. “In the meantime, Widener Law will continue to follow university codes for handling the multiple complaints of students against Professor Connell.”
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Panel Says Law Prof Shouldn’t Be Fired Over Hypothetical Involving Dean’s Murder”
ABAJournal.com: “Law Prof Faces New Complaints over Hypotheticals Involving Dean’s Murder”
