Cedar Creek bullying lawsuit goes to trial this month

Nearly two years after it was first filed, a lawsuit alleging bullying and sexual battery between students at Cedar Creek School is set to go to trial on July 31.

In September of 2021, Michael “Duffy” Conroy, his wife Nicole and their minor son filed suit against the Ruston private school, eight of the son’s classmates and their families, the school’s then-principal, and other employees.

The Conroys claimed their son had been severely bullied at Cedar Creek for eight months, including several instances of sexual battery with an object.

No updates on the case have been publicly available since the spring of 2022, after all court records were sealed and a gag order issued by ad hoc Judge Jimmie C. Peters, who was appointed after all three local district judges recused themselves.

But at a Tuesday hearing in 3rd Judicial District Court in Ruston, officials said the case was scheduled for trial beginning July 31.

At one time the suit contained more than 20 defendants. But the only attorneys for the defense present at Tuesday’s hearing represent Cedar Creek itself, former Head of School Andrew Yepson, and an insurance company that covers the school.

It’s unclear if any or all of the other defendants have been dismissed in the year and a half since discovery began.

Tuesday’s hearing dealt with several pieces of potential evidence and testimony that either the plaintiffs or defendants wanted Peters to throw out. Peters rejected some requests and upheld others.

Expect more details from the hearing in Thursday’s edition of the Ruston Daily Leader.