IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE DIVISION

JACK D. DENTON,

Plaintiff,

v.

JOHN E. THRASHER, et al.,

Defendants.

Civil Case No. 4:20-cv-00425-

AW-MAF

PLAINTIFF’S NOTICE OF RULING BY FLORIDA STATE

UNIVERSITY STUDENT SUPREME COURT

Plaintiff Jack D. Denton gives notice to the court of a ruling by the 

Florida State University Student Supreme Court and states as follows:

1. Before filing this action, Mr. Denton filed a complaint with the 

Florida State University Student Supreme Court. See Doc. 1, Complaint 

¶ 148. 

2. On October 22, 2020, this Court held a telephonic scheduling 

hearing during which all parties agreed, with this Court’s approval, to 

stay discovery until the resolution of Defendants’ pending motions to 

dismiss.

3. On October 26, 2020, the Student Supreme Court ruled on the 

complaint and ordered Mr. Denton’s reinstatement as president of the 

Case 4:20-cv-00425-AW-MAF Document 59 Filed 10/27/20 Page 1 of 3
2

Student Senate. The Student Supreme Court’s opinion is attached as 

Exhibit A.

4. On information and belief, Defendant Daraldik has appealed 

the Student Supreme Court’s decision to Defendant Hecht. 

5. Pursuant to Student Body Statute § 205.7, Defendant Hecht 

must either affirm or reverse the Student Supreme Court’s decision to 

reinstate Mr. Denton as Student Senate President.

6. Defendant Daraldik’s appeal of the decision and the decision 

that is yet to be made by Defendant Hecht on the appeal will likely affect 

Mr. Denton’s rights, the relationship between the parties, Mr. Denton’s 

pending claims, and would bear on Defendants’ pending motions to 

dismiss.

7. On information and belief, Defendant Daraldik or other 

student government officials may take action to prevent Mr. Denton’s 

reinstatement or to approve a second motion of no-confidence against Mr. 

Denton even if Defendant Hecht affirms the decision to reinstate Mr. 

Denton.

8. A subsequent removal would affect Mr. Denton’s rights, the 

relationship between the parties, Mr. Denton’s pending claims, and 

would bear on Defendants’ pending motions to dismiss.

9. Given the developing nature of the situation, Plaintiff will 

notify the Court of any relevant factual developments related to the 

Case 4:20-cv-00425-AW-MAF Document 59 Filed 10/27/20 Page 2 of 3
3

appeal of the Student Supreme Court’s decision or Mr. Denton’s 

reinstated status as Student Senate President. 

Respectfully submitted on the 27th day of October, 2020.

s/ Tyson Langhofer

Tyson Langhofer*

ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM

20116 Ashbrook Place, Suite 250

Ashburn, VA 20147

Telephone: (571) 707-4655

Facsimile: (571) 707-4656

tlanghofer@ADFlegal.org 

David A. Cortman

FLORIDA BAR NO. 18433

Travis C. Barham*

ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM

1000 Hurricane Shoals Road NE,

Ste. D-1100

Lawrenceville, GA 30043

Telephone: (770) 339-0774

Facsimile: (770) 339-6744

dcortman@ADFlegal.org

tbarham@ADFlegal.org

Mark Welton

Florida Bar No. 999202

WELTON LAW FIRM, LLC

1020 S. Ferdon Blvd.

Crestview, FL 32536

Telephone: (850) 682-2120

Facsimile: (850) 689-0706

mark@weltonlawfirm.com

* Admitted Pro Hac Vice.

Attorneys for Plaintiff

Case 4:20-cv-00425-AW-MAF Document 59 Filed 10/27/20 Page 3 of 3