Hunter
10/23/23
A lawsuit against a third University of Iowa frat member accused of spreading video and photographs of an alleged assault against a woman student could be moved until after the main trial involving two alleged assailants.
Student Makéna Solberg filed a lawsuit against FIJI and the former frat members after saying members of the fraternity sexually assaulted her at a party in September 2020. Former FIJI members Carson Steffen and Jacob Meloan are the defendants accused of sexually assaulting Solberg while she was intoxicated.
The trial was originally scheduled to begin in July 2023 but FIJI lawyers successfully argued that extensive media coverage would prevent their client from getting a fair trial in Johnson County. The new trial date is November 5th, 2024 in Tama County.
Solberg also filed suit against former FIJI member Broc Hawkins, who is accused of spreading video and photos of the incident without her consent.
A court filing last week by Hawkins’ lawyer asks that his trial, scheduled for this January 24th, to be moved until after the FIJI trial concludes. The trial is still to be held at the District 6 Courthouse in Cedar Rapids.