In a former student's lawsuit, also was heard Thursday, the judge made no ruling and set separate hearings in March to continue arguments.

The case of the former accountant, Trent Huddleston, could be decided March 2, when District Judge Michael Gassett is set to determine whether claims including negligence, wrongful termination and emotional distress will continue.

Huddleston alleges that he was forced to list financial transactions improperly to allow ORU's former president, Richard Roberts, and his wife, Lindsay Roberts, to misspend university money.

David Brown, the former student, says he was not able to complete his history degree after ORU fired one of his professors.

November 2007 where when the lawsuits were filed, along with one by three former professors that was settled last year with undisclosed terms.

Lawyers for Richard and Lindsay Roberts argued that the firing of professor John Swails could not have interfered with Brown's education. Classes that would have allowed Brown to obtain his degree still were offered.

Brown's lawyers said that Roberts, as ORU's president, was responsible for the matter.

Soon after the lawsuits were filed, Roberts resigned.

Thursday, Gassett said that he needed more time to review briefings and recent court decisions that could affect the
case.

"I've got more questions than I've got answers," he said.

In the Huddleston case, ORU attorney Jo Anne Deaton said the plaintiff has had plenty of opportunities to convince the judge of the case's merit.

"It just seems at some point there has to be an end," she said. "And I think we're there, Judge."

Gassett said the court is close to resolving the case but that more arguments should be heard.

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