Appeals court sends contractor's case to court (Haiburton/KBR)

[sonias]

AAS 9/15/09
Appeals court sends contractor's case to court
By ANABELLE GARAY

DALLAS — The case of a Texas woman who alleges she was gang-raped by co-workers while working for a military contractor in Iraq will go to court instead of arbitration, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.

A divided three-judge panel from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled Jamie Leigh Jones' federal lawsuit against Halliburton Co., former subsidiary KBR and several affiliates can be tried in open court.

The companies contended Jones signed an agreement that required claims against the companies to be resolved privately through arbitration.

"This is wonderful news, not only for me but for those who have been bound into mandatory arbitrations," Jones wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

The AP usually does not identify people alleging sexual assault, but Jones' face and name have been broadcast in media reports and on her own Web site. She also described her allegations in testimony before a congressional subcommittee.

If Jones is happy about this, I hope it is good news. I hope she gets her justice in court. Maybe with all of these business controlled judges she does stand a better chance in court.

Sonia

[Aragorn]

1. it's a good thing

But maybe only because of criminal charges? It is unlikely that one could sign away the right to prosecute for a crime like rape. I know civil cases held up for years where no "justice" ever happens. And partly, I think, because the lawyers get no commission.

[sonias]

2. She is a very brave woman

Not only to speak up about the crime but to pursue her justice against the likes of Haliburton and KBR who obviously thought she could be bought.

True that the courts are not fast, not even the criminal courts. She has strong determination though. She has been through the worst of it already.


Sonia