Attorneys representing a teen and his parents in a federal lawsuit against the Davis School District for allegations that it failed to protect the boy from sex abuse by former teacher Brianne Altice are withdrawing from the case.
Attorneys Matthew Feller and Mark Carlson filed papers in court Tuesday, saying they're leaving the case without their clients' permission.
The victim's father told The Standard-Examiner they plan to seek alternative legal counsel. He speculates the attorneys are withdrawing because defense claims that the district is immune from civil action when students are assaulted may be hard to fight.
The teen, now 19, was one of three boys who had sexual relationships with Altice, a former English teacher.
Altice is serving up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to sex abuse.
Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Brianne Altice, 35, was taken into custody and ordered to stand trial in 2nd District Court after Judge John R. Morris refused to set bail, Thursday, January 15, 2015. Altice, is facing a total of 14 felony charges for allegedly having sexual relationships with three male students: five counts of first-degree felony rape, two counts of first-degree felony forcible sodomy, three counts of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse, along with three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and one count of dealing harmful material to a minor, all third-degree felonies.
Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Brianne Altice reacts as victim #1's mother tells her, "I've been looking for a glimpse of remorse, but all I see is disbelief at what is happening to her," at Altice's sentencing hearing before Judge Thomas L. Kay. Brianne Altice was sentenced to up to 30 years, Thursday, July 9, 2015 in Judge Thomas L. Kay's Second District Courtroom. Altice, a former Davis High school teacher had sexual relationships with three of her students.
Courtesy | Utah Department of Corrections Brianne Altice