Purdue News

January 22, 1999 Purdue calls death a tragedy but says lawsuit unfounded WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University today (Friday, 1/22) expressed sympathy for the family of a former residence hall counselor murdered by a freshman in 1996, but will defend itself against a wrongful death suit the family has filed against the university and six administrators. The family filed suit Oct. 15 in Newton County Circuit Court seeking unspecified damages in the death of Jay Severson, 27, of Fair Oaks, Ind., who was shot and killed by Jarrod Eskew, a Purdue freshman from Crawfordsville. Eskew then took his own life. The incident occurred in Wiley Hall, where they both lived and where Severson earlier had confronted Eskew for possession of cocaine. Severson then reported his findings to the police, who searched Eskew's room and car, finding drugs. Eskew returned to campus the next day and killed Severson and himself. In a statement, Joseph L Bennett, vice president for university relations, said: "The Severson family suffered an unspeakable tragedy in the loss of their son. Purdue and many individual students and members of the university staff have gone to great lengths to extend sympathy and provide comfort during the difficult period since Jay's death. "Because we have all shared in their grief, Mr. and Mrs. Severson's decision to seek money damages through a lawsuit is disappointing. Despite its deep feelings of sympathy for the family and because it is the university's position that the suit lacks merit, Purdue must and will actively defend itself and each of the individual staff members named as defendants in their individual capacities. "Contrary to the suit's allegations, the training of Purdue residence hall counselors is exemplary. The counselors return to campus 10 days prior to the start of classes each fall for intense training. During each month of the school year, in-service training continues in each hall. In January, counselors again return before classes begin to receive additional training. In the area of enforcement of residence hall and university rules and regulations, written policies and procedures are discussed at length and role-play situations are conducted. "Jay Severson received this thorough training first when initially hired in the spring of 1993, twice during 1993-94 and again when he rejoined the staff in the fall of 1996. Part of this training includes specific directions that in all incidents involving illegal drugs, counselors are to avoid direct confrontation with the people involved and inform police immediately. Unfortunately, when Jay discovered cocaine in Jarrod Eskew's possession, he did not follow the procedures he had been taught, but instead confronted Jarrod and then delayed reporting the incident to police. "Tragically, we will never know what would have occurred had Jay followed the procedures specified in his training. We cannot bring back the young men who died on Oct. 16, 1996. We can only hope that true healing will occur for everyone involved." Source: Joseph L. Bennett (765) 494-2082; e-mail: joe_bennett@purdue.edu Writer: Jeanne V. Norberg (765) 494-2084; e-mail: jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page