A lawsuit against William Paterson University over how it handled the case of five students accused raping another student can go forward, a federal judge ruled.

A Passaic County grand jury in January 2015 declined to indict  the five men, all 18-year-old freshmen at the time, on charges filed by campus police alleging they  sexually assaulted and kidnapped another student.

Two of the students, Garrett Collick, of Paterson, and Noah Williams, of Camden, as well as Williams’ mother Nancy Williams, filed suit.  Their claim says William Paterson failed to conduct a proper investigation and deprived them of their right to due process.

University officials also made statements “defaming the character and reputation” of Collick and Williams, the claim said. The university expelled the students after the charges were filed.

Judge Kevin McNulty dismissed two of the 21 counts, which accused the university of malicious abuse of process and negligent infliction of emotional distress. In dismissing the latter count, the judge removed Nancy Williams as a plaintiff.

McNulty dismissed eight other counts in part.

For more information, please visit the source link below.