By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

THE U.S. District Court for the NMI jury yesterday returned a verdict in favor of the defendants, former Hopwood Jr. High School principal Jim Brewer and the Public School System, who were sued for wrongful termination by former teacher Lisa S. Black.
The eight jurors, after two and a half days of deliberation, said they did not find the defendants liable for Black’s claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress and due process violation.
Black immediately left the courtroom after hearing the verdict while Brewer and his lawyers remained in the court for a while.
In an interview, Brewer said it had been a stressful week and he was glad it was over.
“The jury did a good job and it’s done and over so I can relax now. I’m moving on. In a couple of days I’m going back to California,” Brewer said.
PSS counsel Heather Kennedy said they were pleased with the verdict.
“I appreciate the jury’s hard work and the support of PSS especially the Board (of Education members) coming over to watch the trial,” Kennedy said.
Deputy Attorney General Gregory Baka, who was Brewer’s counsel, said Kennedy did an outstanding job and PSS “is very fortunate to have an attorney” like her
“The important message in this case is that litigation is not always the answer to every problem of society,” Baka said.
Black’s counsel, Atty. George Hasselback, in a phone interview said his client was disappointed with the verdict but they have to respect the jury’s decision.
He said there were a lot of issues in the complaint that were not addressed and he still has to discuss the options with Black, including appealing the case.
When asked if the filing of a criminal charge against Black in Superior Court had somehow influenced the jury’s decision, Hasselback said: “I don’t know, but I certainly think the timing was quite suspicious. They filed the case at the same time that the closing arguments were being made. It’s kind of fishy.”
Black sued PSS and Brewer in 2005 for wrongful discharge and violation of public policy, violation of civil rights, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress and breach of contract.
The jury trial started on Feb. 20 and concluded on Monday.
On the same day, the Attorney General’s Office charged Black with assault and battery and disturbing the peace in the local trial court.
The AGO stated that Black on April 8, 2006 hit the head of Roy Starkey, her former co-teacher.
Black and co-defendant David Muna Sablan also disturbed the peace of Olga Arriola, Glenda Mendiola, Marissa Gelhaus and Aubrey Ben, the AGO added.