Bishop Luers lawsuit hearing focuses on pseudonym use
Friday hearing addresses whether plaintiffs can sue anonymously in ongoing legal battle
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - A high-stakes hearing is happening Friday morning in the ongoing legal battle between Bishop Luers High School and nine former students.
The young women are suing after male classmates allegedly distributed pornographic videos superimposed with their names.
Friday’s hearing focuses on whether the plaintiffs can sue using only “Jane Doe” pseudonyms. The school said it’s only fair the young women identify themselves publicly so they can’t spread allegations against the school anonymously. The women said naming themselves would encourage people to find the videos and further their trauma.
Judge Andrew S. Williams blocked out the whole morning and afternoon for the hearing before he decides whether the plaintiffs will have to use their real names in public court documents.
BACKGROUND: Bishop Luers doubles down on request to publicly name women suing school | Plaintiffs pushing back against move to reveal their identities in lawsuit alleging child exploitation cover-up
Attorneys plan to call four witnesses
A new filing obtained by 21Investigates says the plaintiffs’ attorneys plan to call four of the nine women to testify in Friday’s hearing.
The hearing is closed to the public and media. But because two of the young women testifying recently turned 18, attorneys asked to have several of the plaintiffs’ mothers present in court. It’s unclear whether the judge will allow that, but the plaintiffs’ attorneys say the school’s attorneys have objected to the request.
The hearing on the continued use of pseudonyms begins at 10 a.m. Friday at the Allen County Courthouse. A status conference in the case is set for January 5th, 2026.
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