New York, NY – An examination by an independent neuropsychologist has found former Yeshiva University Chancellor, 85 year-old Norman Lamm, unfit to testify in the $380M sexual abuse lawsuit against the school.
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The NEW YORK POST (http://bit.ly/1fsfSWb) reports that neuropsychologist Elise Caccappolo from Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center determined that Lamm testifying would not affect his health, but that his dementia has progressed to the point where he is unable to provide “reliable” testimony.
In a Tuesday correspondence with Judge John Kotel—who has delayed his decision on Lamm testifying pending the examination—Lamm’s attorney Joel Cohen wrote, “Dr. Caccappolo found that a deposition was unlikely to pose a risk or threat to Dr. Lamm’s health. However, after administering a battery of tests conducted over a period of nearly five hours, Dr. Caccappolo determined [in her written report] that ‘the pattern of Dr. Lamm’s cognitive impairment impedes his ability to independently comprehend and adequately respond to questions posed to him, as well to reliably retrieve and report past information.’”
The examination was ordered after the attorney for the 19 plaintiffs, Kevin Mulhearn, requested that Lamm’s testimony be expedited due to his condition.
If true, it is very sad that a great mind like his has become impaired. (Putting aside the particulars of this case.)
It is always sad to hear that a talmid chocham is suffering from dementia.
Let the poor man live out his last years in peace. 85 years of great service to the Jewish community and one terrible incident should not skew his image.
If YU was at fault, they should have to pay, but leave Rabbi Lamm out of it.
Nebech, Rabbi Lamm had one of the most brilliant frum minds in history.
Leave him alone. He did the best he could at the time with the information that he had. Things are very different now. Don’t try to put an elderly man who is suffering into today’s times. Truthfully, the people who are now doing all the illegal things they are doing are more at fault than he is.
The Rov once spoke about a talmid chacham who loses his cognitive abilities (shortly before he lost his own). He reminded us that the tablets and the broken tablets were placed in the aron.
I heard Rabbi Lamm speak many times and have enjoyed his writings. I’m sad to hear of his condition.
seems like comments 1-5 were all written by the same person!