Judge: U. of Mary Washington Not Liable for Rape

A judge says the rape of a student on the University of Mary Washington’s campus is a tragic case but the school isn’t liable for criminal acts on its property.

The Free Lance-Star reports that Fredericksburg Circuit Court Judge Gordon Willis’ ruling came Monday in a $10 million lawsuit filed by the student.

According to the lawsuit, the student was sexually assaulted in a school parking garage in October 2008. The lawsuit claimed the university was negligent. It named the commonwealth of Virginia as the defendant because the university is a state agency.

The student’s attorney has until April 11 to note objections to the ruling and 21 days to file an amended complaint.