Sex assault lawsuit against University of Idaho can advance

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal judge is allowing a student athlete's lawsuit alleging the University of Idaho placed her at a higher risk of sexual assault to move forward.

In a ruling Wednesday, U.S. District Judge David Nye said former diver Mairin Jameson can sue over allegations the school mishandled previous complaints against a football player who later assaulted Jameson.

But the judge said Jameson's claim that the school also mishandled her own report of sexual assault in 2013 was past the statute of limitations and must be dismissed.

University of Idaho spokeswoman Jodi Walker declined to comment on the lawsuit.

The Associated Press doesn't generally name people who say they're victims of sex assault, but Jameson's attorney said she wanted to be identified.

Lawyer Brook Cunningham said Jameson was pleased by the ruling.

"I think the heightened risk claim is the most important claim," Cunningham said Thursday. "They could have avoided a sexual assault of one of their students had they properly responded."

The previous complaints against the football player included a student who was hospitalized with alcohol poisoning and severe bruising around her neck. He was cited for providing alcohol to minors.

Another student athlete said the football player harassed and threatened her.

Jameson said he sexually assaulted her on April 21, 2013, and she reported it to police four days later. The Moscow Police Department notified school athletic officials, and together they determined the player "was not a threat."

The athletic department didn't notify the dean of students or offer Jameson any support or counseling, the lawsuit says.

A few weeks later, Jameson reported the assault to the UI Women's Center, triggering a disciplinary investigation against the football...