Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary remains dismissed from claims of defamation in a case involving the school and its former president, Paige Patterson, with the latter being allowed to file again for summary judgment, said a U.S District Court on Monday (Dec. 1).
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Judge Sean D. Jordan gave his decision Dec. 1, clarifying a remand from the Fifth Circuit that ordered supplemental briefing from Patterson and SWBTS. Southwestern attorneys argued that the Fifth Circuit vacated only Patterson’s portion of the judgment for dismissal. The District Court agreed, saying, “All claims against SWBTS have been, and remain, dismissed.”
“Jane Roe” is a former SWBTS student who sued the seminary and Patterson, its president at the time, over claims of negligence, gross negligence and defamation after alleging that a fellow student sexually assaulted her.
Garner case scheduled for Jan. 8
Meanwhile, a suit filed by a former worship pastor and school music teacher in East Tennessee against the Southern Baptist Convention will go before the state Supreme Court on Jan. 8.
Preston Garner and his wife, Kellie, filed in 2023 against the SBC, Guidepost Solutions and others. The Garners are alleging defamation/libel and slander, defamation by implication, invasion of privacy and loss of consortium due to an inquiry made by the SBC Credentials Committee.
See full report on both cases.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The two reports were written by Scott Barkley and originally published by Baptist Press.
