By Ericka M. Smith
Daily Staff Reporter
The University was found guilty of discrimination yesterday after a weeklong civil suit alleging racism, but jurors ruled that Dental School supervisor Linda Vachon DeMarco was not guilty.
Plaintiffs Delano Isabell, Dawn Mitchell and Theresa Atkins - three black former Dental School employees - contended they were fired from the University in 1995 because of their race.
After two days of deliberating, jurors emerged yesterday afternoon to unanimously order the University to pay the plaintiffs a total of $360,000 in lost earnings and to compensate for pain and suffering.
But the jurors said DeMarco, the other defendant in the suit, did not discriminate or retaliate against the former employees.
Shortly after the trial, Associate Vice President for University Relations Lisa Baker said the University did not discriminate against the three workers during their employment.
"We disagree with the jury's findings on discrimination and continue to stand by our earlier statements that we believe there was no discrimination," Baker said in a written statement.
The jurors awarded Isabell and Mitchell $40,868 each for economic loss and $80,000 for non-economic loss. Atkins will receive $34,982 for her economic losses and $80,000 in compensation.
Baker said in a written statement the jury must have had reservations because they awarded the plaintiffs "approximately one-fifth of what was requested by each plaintiff.'
Plaintiff attorney George Washington said the outcome of the trial was more than just a victory for his clients even though they would receive less than the $500,000 each originally requested.
"For two years and four months the University has denied racial discrimination," Washington said. "We think that shows how much the University has lied and how outrageous their conduct was."
Following the verdict, the three workers stood in a lobby of the Washtenaw County Courthouse thanking their families, friends and the National Women's Rights Coalition for support throughout the case.
"We, the Dental School Three, would like to first thank God for giving us the strength and the courage to fight for equal rights, a cause we strongly believe in," they said in a written statement.
NWROC, who passed out fliers and organized demonstrations supporting the workers throughout the trial, congratulated the former employees.
LSA senior and NWROC member Jessica Curtin said yesterday's event "proves that you can stand up against racism and sexism at the U of M."
Despite the University's defeat, the plaintiffs said they had won only part of the battle.
"Personally, I feel Linda Vachon (DeMarco) is just as responsible as the University," Mitchell said.
NWROC member Shanta Driver said the plaintiffs had proved their case despite the odds against them.
"We think the jury was a very conservative jury," Driver said. "It was an all-white jury and a jury that had a lot of managers on it and for them to have found the University guilty of racism in this company town is a real victory."
Washtenaw District Court Judge Donald Shelton told jurors they had made a "great" contribution to the community by serving on this case.
"This was a difficult case," Shelton said. "This is where some issues that are too important to be decided by one person (come), so we call on members of the community to express that community view."
Baker said the University was "very pleased that (DeMarco) ... was completely exonerated," and still contends that it did not discriminate against Isabell, Mitchell and Atkins.
Washington said he plans to reappear in court to clear his clients' names and ask for reimbursement of his legal expenses.
"We intend to ask the judge for an order reinstating the workers at the Dental School and for full attorney fees and the wiping off of any discipline resulting out of this incident," Washington said.
The plaintiffs and NWROC said they will celebrate the victory by picketing the Dental School and marching to the Diag this afternoon.
JENNIFER BRADLEY-SWIFT/Daily
Outside the Washtenaw County Courthouse yesterday, three former Dental School employees celebrate their victory against the University.