Jurors dismissed in lawsuit against Bellwood district

Settlement possible as teen sexual abuse victim sued BASD over Blazier’s actions

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- A civil court dispute in which a teenage sexual assault victim sought to hold the Bellwood-Antis School District accountable for the actions of former school wrestling coach Ryan Blazier appears to be headed to an out-of-court resolution.

Blair County jurors selected Oct. 2 for a 10-day trial that was set to start Thursday have been dismissed, according to the county court administration office.

Senior Judge Timothy M. Sullivan, who was scheduled to preside over the civil trial, now has other matters scheduled on Thursday.

While a settlement notice was not filed as of Tuesday with the prothonotary's office, a notice could be forthcoming and close the case that the jury was expected to hear.

A settlement notice could also address the status of a related civil court case involving a second sexual assault victim.

If no settlement notices are filed, then the civil cases would remain open and headed for trial.

Attorneys involved in the case failed Tuesday to return phone calls to the Mirror seeking information and comment.

On Thursday, those attorneys were at the courthouse where they met with Blair County Senior Judge Hiram Carpenter, who has experience in mediating legal disputes. But they declined to speak about their discussions or efforts.

Those attending Thursday's sessions included Bellwood-

Antis School District Solicitor Carl Beard Sr. and Pittsburgh attorney Jaime Doherty, who has been the district's lead counsel for the civil court case.

Indiana attorneys Bryan Neiderhiser and Bradley Holuta, who represent the sexual assault victims, also met at times with Carpenter and the district's attorneys.

The civil court cases began developing when Blazier, a former middle school wrestling coach, was being prosecuted on criminal charges linked to sexual assault allegations made by two student wrestlers.

In October 2021, a jury convicted Blazier of seven sexual assault offenses. He received a sentence of 21 to 42 years' incarceration.

In the civil cases, the attorneys representing the students faulted the school district for a lack of action that failed to protect the students from being sexually assaulted. The district, meanwhile, took the position that Blazier alone was to blame for the assaults.

Blazier, who was also named as a defendant in the civil lawsuit, attended jury selection on Oct. 2 and was expected to return for trial. Blazier has maintained in court records that the assaults never happened and that he is pursuing an appeal.

Had the scheduled civil court trial moved forward Thursday, the jury would have been expected to determine if Blazier -- as well as the school district -- were each or both liable for what happened to the student and if monetary damages should be awarded.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.