Yale Student Slander Case Over Assault Sent to State Top Court

The Connecticut Supreme Court was asked by the Second Circuit whether the comments of a Yale University student who accused another student at a disciplinary hearing of sexual assault were entitled to absolute immunity under state law.

Jane Doe was at Yale when she said Saifullah Khan sexually assaulted her. Rape charges were filed against Khan but he was acquitted.

Thereafter Yale conducted a state mandated investigation into Doe’s charges and expelled Khan. Khan sued Doe for defamation as a result of her testimony during Yale’s hearing.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut ruled that Doe’s comments ...