Lawsuit Against Priest, Former Notre Dame Principal Dismissed
A lawsuit filed almost three years ago by a former Notre Dame student has been dismissed by a North Texas District Judge. The Times Record News reports that Tarrant County District Judge David Evans dismissed the suit last week.
Jason Lloyd Montgomery filed the suit in March of 2015. In the suit, Montgomery alleged that he was sexually abused by now-deceased Rev. John Sutton over a two year period from 1990-92. Montgomery later added a claim that he was also sexually abused by then Notre Dame principal Ron Staley.
The Fort Worth Diocese investigated the allegations but could find no evidence to support the abuse claims. They deny allegations that the investigation was 'strun along' until the statute of limitations ran out.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Montgomery's attorney issued the following statement following the ruling:
"After almost three years of litigation, an enormous amount of additional evidence was uncovered in support of Mr. Montgomery’s claims in this case. Jason Montgomery, through his lawyers, filed detailed Responses and submitted voluminous evidence in response to Defendants’ various Motions to Dismiss. At the urging of the Diocese and its Bishop, the Court permanently sealed those portions of the court records containing Mr. Montgomery’s Responses and evidence."
Sources: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Times Record News