AP: Dietrich settles lawsuit over locker-room assault

The Dietrich School District has settled a federal lawsuit stemming from a 2015 sexual assault in a high school locker room.

Lee Schlender, the attorney for the assault victim, confirmed the settlement to Kimberlee Kruesi of the Associated Press.

However, Schlender declined to divulge details of the agreement. The agreement itself remains sealed in federal court, the AP reported.

The victim’s family had filed a $10 million civil suit, saying district officials knew about an escalating pattern of bullying and harassment in the school — or should have been aware of it.

Three white football teammates were charged in the October 2015 attack of a black, mentally disabled teammate. They were accused of using a coat hangar to assault their victim.

One teammate, John R.K. Howard, was later sentenced to probation and community service on a reduced charge of felony injury to a child. One of the other suspects, Tanner Ray Ward, pleaded guilty, but his case is sealed in juvenile court.

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 30 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinRichert. He can be reached at [email protected]

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