Komjathy’s court case

THRS professor in USD DPS report: “It was a massive mistake”

Amy Inkrott / Copy Editor / The USD Vista

The San Diego Superior Courthouse was bustling on Thursday Sept. 26 as a crowd of people waited for their moment before the judge. While many would have the chance to present their case, this was not true for University of San Diego philosophy professor Lori Watson, Ph.D. 

Early last month, Watson filed for a temporary restraining order against Theology and Religious Studies (THRS) professor Louis Komjathy, Ph.D. after she found a picture of crosshairs under her office door. A court hearing was scheduled to review the issue; however, Komjathy’s attorney asked that the hearing be delayed as the incident is still under a criminal investigation by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD). The hearing was postponed until Dec. 10. Komjathy was not present at the courthouse and is visiting family in Chicago, according to Watson’s attorney. 

Watson was one of four professors who allegedly received threats from Komjathy. Posters hung across campus encouraged students to “oppose corruption” and boycott the courses taught by Watson and THRS professors Evelyn Kirkley and Emily ReimerBarry, Ph.D.s. Communication Studies professor Leeva Chung, Ph.D. and Watson both received images of crosshairs. A flyer hung near Komjathy’s office door had pictures of the eight Appointment Reappointment Rank and Tenure (ARRT) Committee members. This was posted next to a four-page letter from Komjathy to the ARRT Committee regarding his denied application for full professorship. 
In the letter, Komjathy appealed the committee’s unanimous decision, citing support from other faculty members and his perceived commitment to the university’s mission. 

“I hope that the Appeals Committee and the higher administration will, in turn, recognize the illegitimate and apparently unprecedented nature of the CAS ARRT Committee’s ‘evaluation,’” Komjathy wrote. “I hope that you will recognize the merit of my work based on the actual criteria for promotion.” 

Other flyers told five individuals to contact his attorney and another included printouts of a black “X.” According to the documents an english professor identified the “X” as the Condor Legion symbol used by Hitler in the Spanish Civil War. 

According to court documents, USD’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) met with Komjathy the morning after the incident. During this conversation, the DPS officer quoted Komjathy admitting to posting the flyers and the crosshairs. 

“It was a massive mistake,” Komjathy said in the Public Safety report. “I wanted them to feel what I felt like. It was supposed to be a symbolic representation of having a target on their backs and being singled out … I am not a violent person and I will do whatever it takes to make this right.”
In the report, Komjathy admitted to the threats and attributed his actions to being in a “dysfunctional department” and “hostile work environment.” The document reported that Komjathy had held office hours in La Paloma and Aromas to avoid using his office. 

On Sept. 16, the SDPD petitioned for a Gun Violence Restraining Order against Komjathy. This order prohibits the professor from possessing or buying any guns or ammunition. According to court documents, Komjathy does not have any firearms legally registered to him.

At the courthouse, Watson and Reimer-Barry were visibly distressed by the situation. During an interview, Reimer-Barry’s hands were shaking as she spoke with reporters. Both professors emphasized the fear that they continue to face as a result of the alleged threats. 

“There had been a history of his escalating behavior of aggression,” Watson said in an interview with NBC 7 and The USD Vista. “I believe that if he were found responsible for this, that might further escalate his aggression. I believe that if he were held responsible for his actions, either through the university or through the police … that he would seek me out and get revenge. I am concerned that he is not reliable or stable — when he feels cornered or threatened, he acts out.” 

Reimer-Barry explained that Public Safety has given her multiple points of reassurance during this ongoing investigation. She was told that the issue is being taken seriously and that safety continues to be its numberone priority. 

Despite the alleged threats, Watson, Reimer-Barry, and Leeva Chung are continuing to teach throughout the Fall 2019 semester and Evelyn Kirkley remains on sabbatical.

The San Diego Superior Courthouse was bustling on Thursday Sept. 26 as a crowd of people waited for their moment before the judge. While many would have the chance to present their case, this was not true for University of San Diego philosophy professor Lori Watson, Ph.D. 

Early last month, Watson filed for a temporary restraining order against Theology and Religious Studies (THRS) professor Louis Komjathy, Ph.D. after she found a picture of crosshairs under her office door. A court hearing was scheduled to review the issue; however, Komjathy’s attorney asked that the hearing be delayed as the incident is still under a criminal investigation by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD). The hearing was postponed until Dec. 10. Komjathy was not present at the courthouse and is visiting family in Chicago, according to Watson’s attorney. 

Watson was one of four professors who allegedly received threats from Komjathy. Posters hung across campus encouraged students to “oppose corruption” and boycott the courses taught by Watson and THRS professors Evelyn Kirkley and Emily ReimerBarry, Ph.D.s. Communication Studies professor Leeva Chung, Ph.D. and Watson both received images of crosshairs. A flyer hung near Komjathy’s office door had pictures of the eight Appointment Reappointment Rank and Tenure (ARRT) Committee members. This was posted next to a four-page letter from Komjathy to the ARRT Committee regarding his denied application for full professorship. 
In the letter, Komjathy appealed the committee’s unanimous decision, citing support from other faculty members and his perceived commitment to the university’s mission. 

“I hope that the Appeals Committee and the higher administration will, in turn, recognize the illegitimate and apparently unprecedented nature of the CAS ARRT Committee’s ‘evaluation,’” Komjathy wrote. “I hope that you will recognize the merit of my work based on the actual criteria for promotion.” 

Other flyers told five individuals to contact his attorney and another included printouts of a black “X.” According to the documents an english professor identified the “X” as the Condor Legion symbol used by Hitler in the Spanish Civil War. 

According to court documents, USD’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) met with Komjathy the morning after the incident. During this conversation, the DPS officer quoted Komjathy admitting to posting the flyers and the crosshairs. 

“It was a massive mistake,” Komjathy said in the Public Safety report. “I wanted them to feel what I felt like. It was supposed to be a symbolic representation of having a target on their backs and being singled out … I am not a violent person and I will do whatever it takes to make this right.”
In the report, Komjathy admitted to the threats and attributed his actions to being in a “dysfunctional department” and “hostile work environment.” The document reported that Komjathy had held office hours in La Paloma and Aromas to avoid using his office. 

On Sept. 16, the SDPD petitioned for a Gun Violence Restraining Order against Komjathy. This order prohibits the professor from possessing or buying any guns or ammunition. According to court documents, Komjathy does not have any firearms legally registered to him.At the courthouse, Watson and Reimer-Barry were visibly distressed by the situation. During an interview, Reimer-Barry’s hands were shaking as she spoke with reporters. Both professors emphasized the fear that they continue to face as a result of the alleged threats. 

“There had been a history of his escalating behavior of aggression,” Watson said in an interview with NBC 7 and The USD Vista. “I believe that if he were found responsible for this, that might further escalate his aggression. I believe that if he were held responsible for his actions, either through the university or through the police … that he would seek me out and get revenge. I am concerned that he is not reliable or stable — when he feels cornered or threatened, he acts out.” 

Reimer-Barry explained that Public Safety has given her multiple points of reassurance during this ongoing investigation. She was told that the issue is being taken seriously and that safety continues to be its numberone priority. 

Despite the alleged threats, Watson, Reimer-Barry, and Leeva Chung are continuing to teach throughout the Fall 2019 semester and Evelyn Kirkley remains on sabbatical.

Luke Garrett contributed reporting.