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Defamation suit against Jim Boeheim and Syracuse University dismissed

Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim reacts to a call against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half of their men's NCAA East Regional basketball game in Boston

Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim reacts to a call against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half of their men’s NCAA East Regional basketball game in Boston, Massachusetts, March 24, 2012. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

REUTERS

According to CNYCentral.com the New York State Supreme Court released its decision in regards to the defamation suit filed against Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim and Syracuse university, with Judge Brian DeJoseph ruling that the case would be dismissed.

Bobby Davis and Mike Lang, who both accused former Syracuse assistant Bernie Fine of sexually abusing them, alleged that Boeheim defamed them by calling them liars back in November when the charges first surfaced.

Boeheim did apologize for the comments due to criticism from victims’ rights groups, and in the months since the allegations first came to light inconsistencies have been found in some of the accusers’ stories.

Zach Tomaselli admitted to fabricating his story of Fine molesting him in mid-April, only to say five days later that his original story was indeed true.

For what it’s worth, Tomaselli was sentenced to three years in prison for sexually abusing a child in Maine.

This could lead some to cast doubt on the validity of Davis and Lang’s stories, and in the case of Lang the Syracuse Post-Standard had reports of him receiving game tickets from Fine well after the alleged crimes took place.

According to the State Supreme Court there’s no need to keep going with a defamation suit.

And given the documented issues of some of the accusers, could the criminal investigation be headed in that direction as well? We’ll have to wait and see.

Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.