Woman appeals dismissal of lawsuit against Rodman

Kukoc returns to Bulls, who lose Rodman until playoffs

Rodman

U.S. District Court Judge David Sam ruled Feb. 28 that the claim of battery brought by Lavon P. Ankers was filed too late and was barred by the statute of limitations.

Sam also rejected Ankers' claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, ruling that the alleged pinch may have been insulting, but it wasn't "outrageous."

On Thursday, Ankers appealed Sam's ruling to the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. The brief notice of appeal filed by her attorney, Harry Caston, simply noted that she "hereby appeals" to the circuit court.

In the Utah case, Rodman was accused of pinching Ankers, who was an usher at the Delta Center, during a May 5, 1994, game between the Jazz and San Antonio Spurs. Rodman, who was then playing with the Spurs, was chasing a loose ball out of bounds and touched her while returning to the court.

Ankers claimed she was pinched. Rodman's agent, Dwight Manley, had said Rodman only put his hand on Ankers' hip so he wouldn't knock her over on his way past.

Ankers filed suit in August, seeking $750,000 from Rodman. She said the pinch in front of a local and national television audience -- as well as Rodman's then-girlfriend Madonna -- "greatly humiliated, shamed and embarrassed" her. She said she had endured great mental suffering.

Richard K. Howell, Rodman's lawyer, said the appeal was expected.

"But we expect the appellate court will follow the sound reasoning of the trial court and uphold the dismissal of the case," Howell said. "This is a case that we believe never should have been filed."