I had a dream last night about one person, the Judge who will be reviewing this case on July 19.
In the dream it was he standing up within his bench looking down at me. Dressed in his black robe, he said, “I am one of many judges engaged in upholding the Constitution and the rule of law and I share a common responsibility with my fellow judges in seeing that justice is carried out in every case.
Today, I am faced with what I believe to be an important ruling. I have reviewed every part of this incident and I find that it is a decision that is a simple one to cast based on all the facts I know to be true. In point of fact, I do not see why this matter could not have been fairly decided by Syracuse University and / or its student disciplinary government.
I do not need witnesses, as the case based upon police reports and other reports I have reviewed, it is very clear to me and I shall rule in this way.
This should not have come before my court as a result of an altercation begun and furthered into a physical incident. However, the defendant chose to use his fists instead of his brain against the plaintiff. Initially the plaintiff was ill prepared to protect himself and suffered several punches to the face. He then defended himself which seems a logical human reaction and that is all it was.
I have heard about this case and the irritability and anger it has caused among students and student athletes at Syracuse University and some of its alumni. We judges are aware of social media but cannot be influenced by them in the making of a ruling in any case. Before this matter goes any further and injures anyone else psychologically, I find for the plaintiff and against the defendant. I rule that this person be a part of the university student body and be allowed to partake in all aspects of his chosen athletic program immediately.
The defendant and a representative of Syracuse University are hereby ordered to meet with me in chambers to deliberate this matter further. For your perusal, I have prepared a brief for you to review before our meeting which among other matters will include a change in the student disciplinary board and the rules of the student handbook henceforth. I will decide on the date in August and you will be so informed.
We are adjourned and the case is final there will be no appeals. Good day.” Gavel.