Plaintiff given time to respond to Saint Anthony's motion to dismiss

The plaintiff in a defamation case against a local hospital and its staff has been given two weeks to respond to a defense move to throw the case out.

Plaintiff John Doe was given the time in an order signed by Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth Sept. 24.

Doe is suing Saint Anthony's Hospital, Kathryn Hartmann, E.O. Kiepher and Cindy Drainer on claims of defamation of character.

Doe claims that Hartmann spread rumors that he touched an unconscious male patient sexually and that the rumors led to his firing by the hospital.

Doe also claims that his sexuality factored into the hospital's actions.

The suit seeks damages of at least $50,000, lost wages and other relief.

The defendants deny the charges.

They have filed to dismiss the suit claiming that Doe's complaint does not meet the legal standard necessary to proceed.

Doe is represented by Jacqueline Brandenburg-Rees and Bob Perica.

The defendants are represented by Jill Luft, Edward Bott and Melanie Renken.

The case is Madison case number 10-L-370.