On Friday, November 1, 2024, Mary Elizabeth Jones filed a petition in the Supreme Court of Ohio seeking a writ of prohibition against Judge Becky Doherty of the Portage County Court of Common Pleas. The petition stems from ongoing legal disputes surrounding a personal injury lawsuit initiated by Jones against the Match Group and John Russell, in which she claims significant damages.
In her petition, Jones alleges that Judge Doherty has failed to comply with a previous appellate court ruling that overruled her decision to send the case to arbitration. Specifically, the 11th District Court of Appeals mandated that Judge Doherty remand the case for further hearings regarding damages related to Jones’s claims against the Match Group. Jones contends that instead of adhering to this directive, Judge Doherty improperly reinstated arbitration, thus exceeding her judicial authority.
The case began in August 2022 when Jones filed her personal injury lawsuit, claiming emotional distress, deceptive advertising practices, and severe psychological trauma. Jones has sought approximately $5 million in damages, alleging that the defendants’ actions caused her permanent injuries. Her claims include personal injury, emotional distress, and the effects of alleged sexual assault by Russell, who has a history of domestic violence.
According to the court documents, Judge Doherty had previously entered a default judgment of $2.5 million against Russell in May 2023, but later reduced this amount to $1,000 for economic damages, citing a lack of medical bills as justification. Jones argues that this reduction was unjust and lacked any legal basis, particularly given the evidence of her permanent injuries.
Jones’s petition outlines four key claims for relief. The first claim requests that Judge Doherty implement the appellate court’s ruling accurately, specifically addressing the reinstatement of arbitration and the need to determine damages as mandated. The second claim seeks appropriate remand for economic, non-economic, and punitive damages due to the alleged injuries sustained by Jones.
The third claim demands a direct monetary judgment entry against both defendants, asserting that the Match Group and Russell should be held accountable for the damages initially awarded. Jones indicates that the defendants’ failure to respond at various stages of the proceedings has effectively waived their rights to contest damages.
Lastly, Jones’s fourth claim emphasizes the need for judicial consistency and integrity, arguing that Judge Doherty’s actions have compromised the judicial process. The petition cites the importance of lower courts adhering strictly to the directives issued by appellate courts, warning that deviations could undermine the overall integrity of the legal system.
Jones has pursued several legal remedies in her efforts to have Judge Doherty’s decisions overturned, including motions to oppose arbitration and multiple writs of mandamus. However, her attempts have thus far been dismissed by the appellate court, necessitating the current petition to the Ohio Supreme Court.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
