THUMBING through the Sept. 19 edition of The Cavalier Daily, I came across a lawsuit filed against the University. In this suit, Richard W. Smith has demanded $1.25 million from the University in the form of damages resulting from a two-year suspension. As a mere 1L at the School of Law, the name Richard Smith meant little to me. Upon further research, his exploits have justifiably garnered considerable attention in the University community.
For those not aware of Mr. Smith's journeys through the judicial systems of Charlottesville, he and three acquaintances participated in the November 1997 beating of Alexander Kory. Smith pled guilty to assault and battery in local criminal court. Ultimately, the University Judicial Committee expelled three of the four students in November of 1998. The students appealed their suspension and received a new trial. Finally, the UJC made a recommendation and sent the final decision to the administration, whereby President John T. Casteen III suspended Smith for two years.
Throughout the Smith saga, much has been made of the controversial figure being the son of a former chairman, president and CEO of Federal Express. Also, in referencing relevant articles, one is struck by the litigious nature of Smith, as evidenced in: his $500,000 suit against a person who made questionable complaints about him to the local Commonwealth's Attorney and the fact that several UJC student prosecutors resigned from the Smith case "in fear of lawsuits" filed in retribution ("Smith lawyers blast UJC in hearing," The Cavalier Daily, Sep. 19).
Given Mr. Smith's affinity for the law of tort and my own five-week immersion in the mechanics of law, I will intend to make any future opinion-related statements as lawsuit-proof as possible. Additionally, in an effort to protect this fine periodical, the opinions of this column might be those of Seth Wood but definitely do not necessarily reflect those of the Managing Board of The Cavalier Daily.
In examining Mr. Smith's suit, one should consider on what grounds he has sued. Smith alleged that the UJC
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