Lawyers criticize William Paterson's handling of rape allegation after charges dismissed

Artocle here. Excerpt:

'The future of five William Paterson University students remained unclear Friday, days after a grand jury declined to indict the freshmen on charges brought by campus police accusing them of participating in a dorm room gang rape.

All charges were dismissed against the five 18-year-olds — Darius Singleton, of Jersey City, Termaine Scott, of Vineland, Garrett Collick, of Paterson, Jahmel Latimer, of Hoboken, and Noah Williams, of Camden — but it was unclear if they would be allowed back at school after officials previously said they were barred from campus.

Lawyers for some of the students were critical of William Paterson University for not turning the case over to experienced sex-crime investigators with the county prosecutor's office before filing charges and for public statements made by school President Kathleen Waldron.

The University on Friday declined to answer a series of questions about the campus police force's handling of the case or say if the students would be allowed to resume classes. In a statement Thursday night, the school said its own "student conduct process" was continuing, but would not elaborate.'