WICHITA, Kan. — A Kansas military boarding school has for years settled multiple lawsuits alleging cadet abuse outside of courtrooms.
This week, St. John's Military School will be in a federal courtroom, looking to discredit claims made by 11 former students that its practice of giving higher-ranking cadets the power to discipline younger ones encourages physical and mental abuse.
The lawsuit goes to trial Tuesday in Kansas City, Kan. It's expected to last three weeks.
The case provides a rare public airing of allegations against the private 126-year-old Episcopalian boarding school in Salina.
Former cadets have sued, claiming negligent failure to supervise, intentional failure to supervise as well as negligent and intentional emotional distress.
The school has denied a culture of abuse exists.