Professor Suja Thomas was interviewed by local Fox affiliate WICS/WCCU regarding the possibility of a former University of Illinois student, Brendt Christensen, being tried again in civil court in the case of Yingying Zhang.
The lawsuit, which names two university social workers and Christensen, stems from what was said in counseling sessions at the U of I Counseling Center. It alleges the center was to blame while Christensen was in their care, charging them with negligence and wrongful death.
"In the criminal case, you have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. In the civil case, you have to prove ponderous of the evidence, which is more likely than not,” Thomas said.
She expects the case to be settled outside of court or dismissed.
Watch the interview.