Cat-Griz Insider just wrote:

[Ursa Major]

The Cat-Griz Insider--a facebook page set up by the Billings Gazette just posted this:

This is what my Tweet of May 25 re: Jordan Johnson was all about ...

"The campus court hearing took place May 23. The committee voted 5-2, finding the student guilty of violating the student conduct code, and voted 7-0 in favor of expulsion. On June 6, UM President Royce Engstrom wrote a letter in support of the campus court’s decision for expulsion."

Then it was linked to the Missoulian report:

Judge unseals, dismisses student's civil rights lawsuit against UM

Are they supposed to link these two? I know it is obvious to all of us but it sort of blows the whole anonymity thing. I'm sure the Billings Gazette has lawyers but I was a bit shocked to see these links combined.

 

[Ursa Major]

Forgot the link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/CatGrizInsider" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Seems like Rachac's attempt at redemption.

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

So is JJ expelled or not. The perpetual confusion i find myself in is annoying.

 

[Tokyogriz]

JJ was ruled against in the Honor court, with some very serious misconduct on the part of Coutre. Engstrom of course rubber stamped this as Coutre is/was in fact doing exactly what Engstrom wanted. Please read BWs "Unsealed documents - Shocking" and the PDF his post references.

The case was dismissed in the civil court per JJs attorneys request (at least thats my understanding) with the Judge citing UM in some serious hot water over their handling of this entire affair however.

Currently there is still a BOR appeal available and in fact Clay Christian has to decide wether to approve the seriously flawed Expulsion due to Coutre/Engstroms misconduct. There will be one hell of a lawsuit brought most likely if JJ is expelled, and UM will very likely come out on the losing end of this.

The only bright note is Engstrom is being fully exposed right now for the man he is and his actual intent to destroy the Athletic department is being fully revealed as well.

Complete lack of any due process in this so far. Its unbelievable and I actually think there is a fair chance, not just rumor that Engstrom will be brought down by this.

I am not a lawyer but reading many who are actually commenting on how UM is seriously going to take a HEAVY hit on this should get your attention.

So yes JJ has been expelled by UMs honor court and Engstrom has sent him a farewell letter. But the BOR appeal is still open, and the earth shattering lawsuit that is coming may in fact attract more national attention to UM over this than anyone ever imagined.

All that said I truely have no idea about guilt or innocence in this case on the part of Jordan Johnson. But really neither does ANYONE else since the UM honor court was beyond a joke in this case. The Honor Court voted based on Coutre/Engstroms actions SEVERELY limiting the defendants ability to in any way defend himself.

This is a truely horrible precident for our University to set in judging a person guilty of a crime until they prove themselves innocent, and then making it impossible for them to even attempt to do so.

 

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

Please read BWs "Unsealed documents - Shocking" and the PDF his post references

Read over the key points Brint shared. WOW. Kind of ashamed to be an alum at this point. Im also just kind of sad in general. Bad news begets bad news.....time and again.

 

[poorgriz]

Really Tokyo? Engstrom's life long goal is to destroy the Grizzly Athletic Department? What the fug is this outcome going to do for him exactly?

 

[WaGriz4life]

Really Tokyo? Engstrom's life long goal is to destroy the Grizzly Athletic Department? What the fug is this outcome going to do for him exactly?

Many people believe Engstrom does not want the Grizzlies to excel in athletics because he doesn't want our school to be known for that. There are MANY professors at the U who agree with him and wish athletics would just go away so we're simply known as a smaller liberal arts college. Engstrom said he supported athletics and would help find ways to get additional revenue to the football program to make facility improvements as well as match donor contributions. He has already backed off both of those things and will most likely force the Athletic Department to pay for Pflugrad and O'days contract. Make no mistake, Engstrom does not think he's strengthening the athletic department by firing those two. He knows this will hurt athletics, but doesn't care, because he doesn't think they are important at all.

 

[Tokyogriz]

To discredit the athletic department and scapegoat the AD and football coach to cover his own ass. This is exactly what it looks like more and more. Coutre has coffee and doughnuts with the Saudi Rape suspect before he flees the country. Then in an attempt to save face Engstrom/Coutre literally railroad a conviction on the star UM quarterback, fire the AD and head coach as well at the same time to get the public to blame the athletic department instead of focusing on main hall were we all should focus our criticism.

Its very in your face that this is what Engstrom/Coutre wanted to occur and were fairly succesful until the details of their dirty work have surfaced. Those men do not deserve to hold public office in any fashion.

 

[mtgrizrule]

We still have a long time to wait, before knowing enough details, to put together an honest summary of how, and why all this crap has happened.

As time goes on though, TG, is looking to be as close to right, as anyone.

 

[PTGrizzly]

Really Tokyo? Engstrom's life long goal is to destroy the Grizzly Athletic Department? What the fug is this outcome going to do for him exactly?

Many people believe Engstrom does not want the Grizzlies to excel in athletics because he doesn't want our school to be known for that. There are MANY professors at the U who agree with him and wish athletics would just go away so we're simply known as a smaller liberal arts college. Engstrom said he supported athletics and would help find ways to get additional revenue to the football program to make facility improvements as well as match donor contributions. He has already backed off both of those things and will most likely force the Athletic Department to pay for Pflugrad and O'days contract. Make no mistake, Engstrom does not think he's strengthening the athletic department by firing those two. He knows this will hurt athletics, but doesn't care, because he doesn't think they are important at all.

I have a hard time believing this. I'm aware that Engstrom appears to be incompetent, but I highly doubt he doesn't want the Grizzlies to excel in athletics. He's aware of where the money comes from, he's dumb, but he's not that dumb.

 

[WaGriz4life]

Really Tokyo? Engstrom's life long goal is to destroy the Grizzly Athletic Department? What the fug is this outcome going to do for him exactly?

Many people believe Engstrom does not want the Grizzlies to excel in athletics because he doesn't want our school to be known for that. There are MANY professors at the U who agree with him and wish athletics would just go away so we're simply known as a smaller liberal arts college. Engstrom said he supported athletics and would help find ways to get additional revenue to the football program to make facility improvements as well as match donor contributions. He has already backed off both of those things and will most likely force the Athletic Department to pay for Pflugrad and O'days contract. Make no mistake, Engstrom does not think he's strengthening the athletic department by firing those two. He knows this will hurt athletics, but doesn't care, because he doesn't think they are important at all.

I have a hard time believing this. I'm aware that Engstrom appears to be incompetent, but I highly doubt he doesn't want the Grizzlies to excel in athletics. He's aware of where the money comes from, he's dumb, but he's not that dumb.

What money? Don't you know our athletic department is lucky to break even every year?

 

[grizpsych]

Really Tokyo? Engstrom's life long goal is to destroy the Grizzly Athletic Department? What the fug is this outcome going to do for him exactly?

Many people believe Engstrom does not want the Grizzlies to excel in athletics because he doesn't want our school to be known for that. There are MANY professors at the U who agree with him and wish athletics would just go away so we're simply known as a smaller liberal arts college. Engstrom said he supported athletics and would help find ways to get additional revenue to the football program to make facility improvements as well as match donor contributions. He has already backed off both of those things and will most likely force the Athletic Department to pay for Pflugrad and O'days contract. Make no mistake, Engstrom does not think he's strengthening the athletic department by firing those two. He knows this will hurt athletics, but doesn't care, because he doesn't think they are important at all.

Please name one professor that does not want the Grizzlies to be good. What a load of bullshit!

 

[maroonandsilver]

For someone who is being accused of wanting to destroy Montana athletics, Engstrom sure attends a lot of games and really looks like he is enjoying himself when the Griz win.

 

[Copper Griz]

The Cat-Griz Insider--a facebook page set up by the Billings Gazette just posted this:

This is what my Tweet of May 25 re: Jordan Johnson was all about ...

"The campus court hearing took place May 23. The committee voted 5-2, finding the student guilty of violating the student conduct code, and voted 7-0 in favor of expulsion. On June 6, UM President Royce Engstrom wrote a letter in support of the campus court’s decision for expulsion."

Then it was linked to the Missoulian report:

Judge unseals, dismisses student's civil rights lawsuit against UM

Are they supposed to link these two? I know it is obvious to all of us but it sort of blows the whole anonymity thing. I'm sure the Billings Gazette has lawyers but I was a bit shocked to see these links combined.

The real tragedy is the lack of due process for the defendant and the victim in this case. A young woman reported she was raped and a young man was accused of raping her. Notice there was no mention of football player anywhere in my previous sentence. If you try and look at this situation from a neutral position - it is rather pathetic. I have not been a critic of REngstrom, nor do I know the man, but his behavior in this instance is appalling. He should have taken the position of treating JJ as any other student (apparently we treat Saudi exchange students differently). #1. Follow the student code of conduct to the letter. #2. The defendant should have been allowed to present evidence to refute the accusations against him. #3. Make NO assumptions pertaining to guilt or innocence prior to the proceedings. #4. Allow for the legal system (MPD, DOJ) to investigate the incident thoroughly. I guess #3 was tough since Mr. Engstrom fired the AD and coach and people were starting to ask questions. Appears Mr. Engstrom was looking to bolster his position for the firings. Sad, since he had one Grizzly football player who admitted to raping a girl on the phone and several other incidents that would have been sufficient to point to perceived problems with the football program. RE may have hung himself with JJ's situation and in my opinion he should step down. He does not have the ability to keep his emotions in check and lead thoughtfully. The University of Montana deserves someone who is a critical thinker and the BOR should show him the door. Sadly, the BOR is probably going to try and cover the a$$. RE will not be fired - nor will JJ be dismissed. Lawsuit ensues, huge black eye for the U and there is still a young woman who reported being raped and a young man who is accused of raping her.

 

[FCS Go!]

Back to the OP, I don't think there is any legal jeopardy in linking the documents to JJ. Why would a newspaper be legally restricted from reporting publically available info? Who is going to sue them and why?

 

[UMGriz75]

"The campus court hearing took place May 23. The committee voted 5-2, finding the student guilty of violating the student conduct code, and voted 7-0 in favor of expulsion. On June 6, UM President Royce Engstrom wrote a letter in support of the campus court’s decision for expulsion."

Missoulian, May 30, 2012: University of Montana Grizzlies quarterback Jordan Johnson remains enrolled as a UM student and is still on the team roster, Associate Commissioner of Higher Education Kevin McRae said Tuesday.

McRae’s statement was released on behalf of UM President Royce Engstrom.

Johnson isn’t enrolled for summer session or taking summer courses, but is pre-enrolled for fall, it said. “He is on the UM football roster, which means he is academically eligible and in ‘good standing’ as an enrolled student (a student athlete must be in good standing with the university to be on an athletic roster).”

 

[Ursa Major]

Back to the OP, I don't think there is any legal jeopardy in linking the documents to JJ. Why would a newspaper be legally restricted from reporting publically available info? Who is going to sue them and why?

The released and redacted information from Judge Christensen is what I base the question on. Specifically the section regarding the release of the protective order. Initially the court agreed to the protective order because it agreed that the confidentiality of the accused, accuser and the witnesses in a University disciplinary matter had merit. The court then decided that the information should be unsealed because of the nature of the proceedings (people have the right to know what is going on at the Um). Except the names of the students involved:

“With respect to the individual students involved in the Student Conduct Code proceedings as well as the witnesses and the University Court members involved in that proceeding, the Court finds that the interest of those individuals in avoiding undue embarrassment, harassment and disclosure of private sensitive information outweigh the public’s right to know their names.”

She then references the Ninth Circuit Courts McClatchy Newspapers case.
“A decent newspaper will not publish [the witness'] accusations
without also publishing the scepticism of [the witness'] credibility
shared by the district judge and the office of the United States
Attorney. If less scrupulous papers omit these significant doubts,
these papers themselves will be of a character carrying little
credibility.”

The information released was redacted to secure the anonymity of those involved. By linking those two stories in a single post the Billings Gazette connected the dots and revealed the name of the accused. I’m not a lawyer but the question I ask is if the paper may have opened itself up for a lawsuit. At the very least it is an ethical question that I hope the paper examined before it released this post.

God I wish we were having mindless arguments about the merits of the 4-3 defense vs. the 3-4!

FCS: I didn't answer your question: Would the accussed in this case be able to sue the Billings Gazette for linking him to the article on the unnamed students. What's the point anyway? JJ has been splashed all over the news regarding this incident. Seems like it is a way to redeem the BG from making a stupid mistake by tweeting the original info in the first place.

 

[WaGriz4life]

Really Tokyo? Engstrom's life long goal is to destroy the Grizzly Athletic Department? What the fug is this outcome going to do for him exactly?

Many people believe Engstrom does not want the Grizzlies to excel in athletics because he doesn't want our school to be known for that. There are MANY professors at the U who agree with him and wish athletics would just go away so we're simply known as a smaller liberal arts college. Engstrom said he supported athletics and would help find ways to get additional revenue to the football program to make facility improvements as well as match donor contributions. He has already backed off both of those things and will most likely force the Athletic Department to pay for Pflugrad and O'days contract. Make no mistake, Engstrom does not think he's strengthening the athletic department by firing those two. He knows this will hurt athletics, but doesn't care, because he doesn't think they are important at all.

Please name one professor that does not want the Grizzlies to be good. What a load of bullshit!

We obviously had some different professors. My political theory professor spoke openly after the house robbery near campus about how she thinks the football program should lose funding because that's all people care about and its hurting our image. I had another professor who taught a philanthropy course who proudly claimed she has never gone to a Grizzly sporting event and never will. I'm sure these two are not alone. I have friends who have heard similar things from professors.

 

[KoolMoeDee]

Rachac tweeted that JJ was expelled and he got jumped on by people here, on twitter, in the Gazette, and on Facebook. With the report that JJ was pre-enrolled everybody again jumped his $hit. Looks like, right now, he is simply stating that when he did make that tweet. He was 100% correct.

 

[grizfan95]

Rachac tweeted that JJ was expelled and he got jumped on by people here, on twitter, in the Gazette, and on Facebook. With the report that JJ was pre-enrolled everybody again jumped his $hit. Looks like, right now, he is simply stating that when he did make that tweet. He was 100% correct.

Seems a little childish to me.