ANSWER AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES Defendant St. Paul's School

64 Pages·2016·0.2 MB·English

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UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURT
DISTRICTOFNEWHAMPSHIRE
)
JOHNANDJANEDOE, )
ASPARENTS,NEXTFRIENDSAND )
LEGALGUARDIANSOFMINORCHILD,J.D. ) CivilActionNo.1:16-CV-00225-PB
)
Plaintiffs, )
)
v. )
)
ST.PAUL’SSCHOOL, )
)
Defendant. )
)
)
ANSWER AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
Defendant St.Paul’s School (the“School”or “SPS”),throughits attorneys McLane
Middleton,Professional Association,answers Plaintiffs’Complaint as follows:
NATURE OFTHE ACTION
1. This actionarises out oftheentirelypreventablesexual assault ofa15-year-old
minorfreshman girl bya graduatingadult maleclassmateat SPS,aneliteNewHampshire
boardingschool.
ANSWER: TheSchool,anEpiscopal,co-educational,fullyresidential highschool
locatedinConcord,New Hampshiremadeupofapproximately525students from all overthe
world,denies that it couldhavepreventedthe allegedsexual assault ofJ.D.,ahigh-school
freshmanat theSchool at thetimeofthealleged assault,byOwen Labrie(“Labrie”),whowas a
high-school seniorat the School thetimeoftheallegedassault. Further answering,theSchool
states that onlyJ.D.andLabrieknowwhat happenedbetweenthem onthe eveningofMay30,
2014. At thecriminal trial inthematterofStateof New Hampshirev.OwenLabrie,Merrimack
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CountySuperiorCourt, Docket No.2014-CR-617(the“LabrieProceeding”),theSchool
acknowledges that eachtestifiedas todifferent versions oftheevents that occurredbetween
them ontheeveningof May30,2014. TheSchool furtherrecognizes that thejuryinthe Labrie
Proceedingconvicted Labrieofmisdemeanorsexual assault,misdemeanor endangeringthe
welfareofa childandfelonious useofacomputer,but acquitted Labrieoffelonious sexual
assault. Labriehas appealedhis convictions, and themixedverdict is not preclusiveinthis
proceeding. Therefore,theSchool lacks knowledgeorinformationsufficient toform abelief as
towhetherJ.D.was sexuallyassaultedbyLabrie.
2. OnMay30,2014,Owen Labrie,usingkeys passeddowntohim from his
brethreninasecret club knownas the“Slaymakers,”ledJ.D.intoasecluded,darkmachine-
room andsexuallyassaultedher. Labrieregardedthis assault as nothingmorethananother
“score”inthe“SeniorSalute,”acampus-widecompetitionthat encouragedseniormento
commit statutoryrapeand otherwiseharass andtreat SPS’underage femalestudents as targets
ofsexual desire.
ANSWER: TheSchool lacks knowledgeorinformationsufficient toform abelief as
totheallegations inthefirst sentenceofparagraph 2,as well as towhat Labrie“regarded.” The
School denies theremainingallegations inparagraph2. Further answering, theSchool states
that the“SeniorSalute”is innowayaSchool-sanctionedorendorsedterm orevent. The
School understands and believes that thephrasedescribes a widerangeof behaviors relatedto
students spendingtimewithotherstudents andmeans avarietyofdifferent things todifferent
peopleandthat thereis nouniform orsingulardefinitionofa“SeniorSalute.” TheSchool
denies that Labrie’s secret useoftheterm Slaymakers hadanyconnectionorcorrelationtouse
oftheterms scoringorseniorsalutebystudents at theSchool.
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3. Owen Labriewas far from alonebadapple whofailedtoaccustom himselfto
SPS cultureandabidebyschool norms. Rather, Labrieembodiedthe warpedcultureofsexual
misconduct anddeviant moral norms at SPS.Labriewas ascholar-athlete andcaptainofthe
men’s varsitysoccerteam whowas, duringSPS’commencement ceremonyinMay2014,
presentedwithan award recognizinghis “selfless devotiontoschool activities.” Labrie’s fellow
Slaymakers includedacknowledgedleaders ofthe school —editors ofthe newspaper,class
officers, andprefects —whowereentrustedwith special advisoryduties relatingto younger
students.
ANSWER: TheSchool admits that Labriefailedto,incertain instances, abideby
school norms andsufferedconsequences forthese failures. TheSchool admits that thejuryin
the LabrieProceedingconvicted Labrieofviolations ofcriminal laws ofthe StateofNew
Hampshire. Further answering,theSchool states that,until theSchool learnedoftheMay30,
2014incident between LabrieandJ.D.,andthesubsequent investigationintothat incident that
revealedotherinappropriateconduct byLabrie,it appearedthat Labriehad comportedhimself
as astudent at theSchool. TheSchool admits that Labriewas captainofthevarsityboys’
soccerteam.TheSchool furtheradmits that Labriewas presentedwiththe Rector’s Award
duringtheSchool’s commencement ceremonyin June2014,but states thattheaward was later
revokedpriortothe LabrieProceedingfor Labrie havingfailedtoabidebySchool rules. The
School denies theremainingallegations inparagraph3.
4. JohnandJaneDoe,andindeedthestateofNew Hampshire,entrustedSPS,as a
residential boardingschool,withthesamerights andresponsibilities ofaparent ofJ.D.and
each childwholivedand studiedthere.JohnandJaneDoe reasonablyreliedonSPS to
undertake andfaithfullydischargethoseparental rights and responsibilities. But SPS failedto
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meet evenits most basic duties toJ.D.andtheotherstudents at theschool, afailure resultingin
ruinous harm forJ.D.andherfamily.
ANSWER: TheSchool denies that theStateofNewHampshireoranyparent entrusts
anyprivateboardingschool withthe“samerights andresponsibilities”as parent,as thereare
manyrights and responsibilities as parent that anyschool simplycannot assume. TheSchool
admits that,incoordinationwithparents, theSchool assumes various functions and
responsibilities overastudent inaboardingschool environment whentheparent is absent. The
School otherwiselacks knowledgeorinformationsufficient toform abelief as totheallegations
inthefirst twosentences ofparagraph4. TheSchool denies theremainingallegations in
paragraph4.
PARTIES,JURISDICTIONANDVENUE
5. JohnDoeandJaneDoeareindividuals whoreside withintheUnitedStates, the
locationofwhichis containedwithinExhibit A(filedunderseal)toPlaintiff’s Memorandum in
Support oftheirMotiontoProceedunderPseudonym,whichis beingfiled herewith.J.D.is a
minorwhoresides withherparents.
ANSWER: TheSchool lacks knowledgeorinformationsufficient toform abelief as
totheallegations inparagraph5.
6. SPS is anon-profit corporationorganizedandexistingunderthelaws ofNew
Hampshireandmaintainingits principal placeofbusiness at 325Pleasant Street,Concord,NH
03301.
ANSWER: Admitted.
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7. This Court has subject matterjurisdictionofthis actionpursuant to28U.S.C.§
1332because noPlaintiffis acitizenofthesamestateas Defendant andthe amount in
controversyexceeds $75,000.
ANSWER: Theallegations inparagraph7arelegal conclusions towhichnoresponse
is required. Further answering,theSchool does not denythat theCourt has subject matter
jurisdictionoverthis controversy.
8. This Court has personal jurisdictionofDefendant pursuant toFed.R.Civ.P.
4(k)(1)(a)becauseDefendant is domiciledin,andconduct [sic] business within,this judicial
district.
ANSWER: Theallegations inparagraph8arelegal conclusions towhichnoresponse
is required. Further answering,theSchool does not denythat theCourt mayexercisepersonal
jurisdictionoverit withrespect tothis controversy.
9. Venueinthis Court is properpursuant to28U.S.C.§1391(b)becauseall the
acts andomissions allegedhereinoccurredinthis judicial district.
ANSWER: Theallegations inparagraph9arelegal conclusions towhichnoresponse
is required. Further answering,theSchool does not denythat venueforthis controversyis
properinthis Court.
FACTS COMMONTO ALL COUNTS
10. J.D.enrolledat SPS inSeptember2013whenshe was 14 years old.
ANSWER: Admitted.
11. SPS is aneliteEpiscopalboardingschool set amid 2,000acres ofwoodland and
meadowinConcord,NewHampshire.Theschool was foundedin1856andits graduates
includenotables inbusiness,politics, thearts, and academia.
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ANSWER: TheSchool admits that itis aco-educational,fullyresidential highschool
foundedin1856that is locatedinConcord,New Hampshireon2,000woodedacres. Further
answering,theSchool admits it is anEpiscopal school,welcomingof all faiths, madeupof
approximately525students from all overtheworld. TheSchool further admits that its alumni
includeindividuals whoareaccomplishedinbusiness,politics, thearts, academia,andother
fields. Furtheranswering,insteadoffocusingon whetherit canbedefined as “elite,”theSchool
strives tochallengeits students intellectuallyand morally—tonurturealoveforlearninganda
commitment toengage as servant leaders inacomplex world.
12. Accordingtoits website, theestimatedannual cost ofattendanceat SPS is
$57,985.
ANSWER: TheSchool admits that theestimatedcost ofattendanceforthe2015-16
school yearwas $57,985. Further answering,the School states that it is committedtomakingit
anaffordableoptionfor families andhas awarded $11.4millioninfinancial aidto216students
forthe2016-17school year.
13. JohnDoewas ascholarshipstudent at SPS whowent ontoacareerinbusiness
withaspecialtyinAsian markets. Hespent most ofhis careerinJapan,and his threedaughters,
includingJ.D.,largelygrewupintheclose-knit,expatriatecommunityinTokyo.J.D.went toa
small Catholicschool with astrongnetworkof friends, teachers andparents.
ANSWER: TheSchool admits that John Doewas ascholarshipstudent at theSchool
whoworkedinbusiness inJapan,andthat J.D.grewup,at least inpart,in Tokyoandwent to
school there. TheSchool lacks knowledgeorinformationsufficient toform abeliefas tothe
remainingallegations inparagraph13.
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14. InMarch2011,thefamily(like everyoneinJapan)was rockedbythe
devastating Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which forced them to quickly relocate back to the
UnitedStates.
ANSWER: TheSchool admits that therewas adevastatingearthquakeandtsunami in
Tōhoku, Japan in March 2011. The School further admits that John and Jane Doe and their
familyat somepoint movedtotheUnitedStates. TheSchool lacks knowledgeorinformation
sufficient toform abelief as totheremainingallegations inparagraph14.
15. J.D.’s oldersisterenrolled at SPS inSeptember2011.
ANSWER: Admitted.
16. In relocatingtotheU.S., J.D.missedherstrongsocial connections and
establishedsupport networkinJapan.
ANSWER: TheSchool admits J.D.likelymissedhersocial connections inJapanbut
lacks knowledgeorinformationsufficient toform abeliefabout thenature ofhersocial
connections inJapanorthesupport networks she hadinJapan.
17. J.D.’s familybelievedSPS,as aresidential boardschool,withlive-infaculty
members was a goodchoiceforherhighschool education.Theybelievedtheschool would
offerJ.D.thekindofsupportiveenvironment she hadinJapanandwouldthus allowherto
continuetogrowsociallyandacademically.
ANSWER: Admitted.
18. J.D.appliedforadmission toSPS andwas acceptedtoenterinthefall 2014
term.
ANSWER: Admitted.
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19. NeitherJ.D.norherparents wereawareofhow farSPS hadstrayed from its
Episcopal religious foundations andmoral compass.
ANSWER: TheSchool denies that it has orhadstrayedfrom its Episcopal religious
foundations andmoral compass andlacks knowledgeorinformationsufficient toform abelief
as towhat J.D.andherparents “were awareof.”
20. From themoment freshmangirls arrive at theschool,theyarejudged andrated
accordingtoappearance.
ANSWER: Denied.
21. Seniormenentrustedas dorm “prefects” andwith otherhonorifictitles viewthe
incominggirls as “fresh meat.”
ANSWER: Denied.
22. SPS providedstudents withtheschool directoryfortheupcoming yearat the
beginningoftheschool year.Thedirectories containphotographs ofthestudents, including
incomingfreshmen.Seniormencreated atraditionofgettingtogetherin groups toratethe
incomingunderage girls in theirdirectories todetermine“targets”for“scoring.”
ANSWER: TheSchool admits that it,likemanyschools, provides students witha
school directoryfortheupcoming yearat thebeginningof eachschool year,andthat the
directories containphotographs ofthat school-year’s students at theSchool. TheSchool denies
theallegations inthelast sentenceofparagraph22. Further answering,totheextent anySixth-
Form (the equivalent ofa “senior” at theSchool) males mayhave engaged intheactivities
allegedinparagraph22,theSchool states that suchactivities werenot carriedout inanopenor
overt manner, andtheSchool denies that anysuch behaviorthat mayhave occurredconstituted
a“tradition.” The School denies anyimplicationthat theSchool failedtoact,oractedbelatedly,
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withrespect toSPS student conduct that violatedSchool policies, standards, orthelaw. The
School furtherstates that theterms “underage”and “scoring” arevague. To theextent
“underage” refers toindividuals whohavenot reachedtheageofmajority, most SPS students
areunderage. Theterm “scoring,”as it has been generallyusedbystudents at theSchool,refers
toawiderangeofconduct relatedtostudents spendingtimetogether. Consistent withthe
testimonyofstudents duringthe LabrieProceeding,it canmeandifferent things todifferent
people.
23. Themenalso ratedandotherwiseharassedtheunderage girls as the girls entered
theschool dininghall threetimes perday.Senior men didthis bysittingon couches inthe
commonareathat opens intothedininghall,called“seniorcouches”that arecustomarily
reservedforseniors. The girls hadno choicebut to walkpast thecouches, andundergoogling
andcatcalls, toget tothe dininghall.
ANSWER: Denied. TheSchool admits thereis acommonareanearthediningarea
andthere are couches. It is deniedthat theSchool knowinglypermittedtheratingorharassment
offemalestudents andotherwisedenies theallegations ofparagraph23.
24. Theserankings takeonspecial significanceinthe games ofsexual conquest in
whichmalestudents openlycompetedwithoneanotherto“score”or “slay”—meaningto
havesexual relations with(generallyyounger) femalestudents —inagiventimeperiod.
ANSWER: Denied. TheSchool denies that malestudents openlycompetedingames
ofsexual conquest at the School. TheSchool furtherstates that theterms “score” and“slay” are
vague. Theterm “scoring,” as it has been generallyusedbystudents at the School,refers to a
widerangeofconduct relatedtostudents interactingwithone another. Consistent withthe
testimonyofstudents duringthe LabrieProceeding,theterm canmeandifferent things to
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different individuals. Theterm “slay” likewisecanhavedifferent meanings fordifferent people,
but that term has beenstronglydisavowedonthefewoccasions whenit cametotheattentionof
theSchool’s administration.
25. As part ofthese games, malestudents rankedthe femalestudents accordingto
attractiveness andactivelypursuedthe youngwomeninthetopranks.
ANSWER: Denied.
26. Theconcept of“scoring” —oldermen’[sic] trackingtheirsexual conquests of
younger girls —has longbeenpart ofSPS’ethos.
ANSWER: Denied.
27. Inorabout 2012,anSPS student createdawebsite“scoreboard”totrackthe
sexual conquests ofSPSstudents. WhileSPS apparentlyforcedthestudent totakedownthe
website,uponinformation andbelief,he was subjectedtonodisciplineand SPS didnofurther
investigationintothewidespreadpracticeofolder students “scoring”withfreshman girls, and
didnothingtoeliminateit.
ANSWER: Denied. TheSchool locatedahand-writtendrawingofstudent names on
awall inadorm laundryroom. Nothingabout the drawingonthewall referencedsexual
conquests. It was generallybelievedtodepict datingorsocial relationships,knownor
unknown,betweenstudents. TheSchool paintedoverthedefacedwall andrenovatedthe
laundryroom toblockaccess totheareawherethedrawinghad beenmade. Thereafter, rumors
surfacedthat thedrawinghadbeenre-createdonanunknownwebsitelocation. TheSchool
attemptedtolocatethewebsiteonlinebut couldnot findit. TheSchool spoketoastudent
rumoredtohost thewebsiteandwarnedhim oftheconsequences of hostingsuch awebsitenot
sanctionedbytheSchool. TheSchool denies it everidentifiedthelocationofthewebsiteorits
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