Judge dismisses sexual assault lawsuit against BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff
- A civil lawsuit against Jake Retzlaff, the BYU quarterback, was filed on allegations of sexual assault.
- The lawsuit was dismissed by a judge in Salt Lake City after a joint motion by both parties.
- This dismissal allows Retzlaff to pursue a transfer to another college football program.
In the United States, a civil lawsuit accusing Jake Retzlaff, a quarterback at Brigham Young University (BYU), of sexual assault was recently dismissed by a judge in Salt Lake City's Third District Court. The lawsuit was initiated by an anonymous woman referred to as 'Jane Doe A.G.' who alleged that Retzlaff raped, strangled, and bit her in November 2023. The claims made considerable media attention and legal scrutiny, leading to ongoing discussions about student conduct and the consequences of honor code violations at BYU. The dismissal came after both parties agreed on a joint motion, effectively ending the case without allowing it to be brought forth again in the future, as indicated by its dismissal 'with prejudice.' The legal proceedings took place shortly after Retzlaff faced disciplinary actions from BYU, including a seven-game suspension for violating the institution's honor code, which mandates that students engage in a chaste and virtuous lifestyle. This dismissal now allows Retzlaff to focus on his football career and potential transfer to another major college program as he approaches the NFL Draft. The situation surrounding Retzlaff has raised discussions not only about individual cases of alleged misconduct but also about how universities handle such accusations within their communities built upon specific moral guidelines.