Ven Johnson Law Files Motion for Reconsideration Requesting Michigan Supreme Court Hear Sexual Assault Case
DETROIT, MI – Ven Johnson Law recently filed a motion for reconsideration after the Michigan Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal in a negligence lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids (Catholic Diocese). The lawsuit accuses the Catholic Diocese of negligence in the sexual abuse of Brendan Boman, a then 15-year-old Grand Rapids Catholic Central High student, who was repeatedly sexually assaulted by his teacher, Abigail Simon.
In 2013, Simon was arrested for criminal sexual conduct (CSC), stood trial in 2014, and was convicted of CSC and sentenced to eight to 25 years in prison, a sentence she is currently serving. In 2015, Boman filed a civil suit against the Catholic Diocese and claimed it responsible for the repeated sexual assaults due to the negligent hiring of Simon and in the lack of appropriate supervision.
In late 2016, the Kent County Circuit Court trial judge dismissed the Catholic Diocese from the lawsuit and ruled the Catholic Diocese was unaware of any conduct toward Boman that would have put them on notice of Simon’s eventual sexual assault.
In 2018, the Michigan Court of Appeals agreed with the trial court’s dismissal of the Catholic Diocese and held there was no evidence that the diocese knew Simon abused Boman or any other child. Boman then appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court and in May, 2020, the court released its decision not to hear the case.
“For the first in my 34-year career, we have filed a Motion for Reconsideration and want this case to go to trial,” said Ven Johnson. “Brendan Boman deserves justice. We have written and verbal evidence that proves prior to Brendan’s sexual abuse, the Catholic Diocese knew of Simon’s predatory behavior and did nothing. Sex abuse against children is deplorable and the employer of the abuser must be held accountable.”
The Motion for Reconsideration requests that the Supreme Court hear the case and allow it to proceed to a jury trial where all evidence against the diocese can be presented.
About Ven Johnson Law, PLC
Ven Johnson Law, PLC, founded by Ven Johnson in 2011, has worked on some of the most notable personal injury cases in America, winning more than $200 million in jury verdicts and settlements totaling more than $400 Million. The firm’s practice areas include civil rights, police misconduct, premises liability, product liability and many more. Ven Johnson and his team have been recognized by legal organizations and publications across the country, including being named to the “Best Law Firms” list by U.S. News & World Report 2017-2020. For more information, visit www.venjohnsonlaw.com.