Judge deciding Nolan Richardson lawsuit

Thursday, June 17th 2004, 10:28 am

By: News On 6

(Little Rock, Arkansas-AP) -- A federal judge will decide whether former Tulsa basketball coach Nolan Richardson proved his case in his discrimination lawsuit against the University of Arkansas.

Both sides put on closing arguments Wednesday with Richardson's lawyer describing the coach's 2002 firing as a lynching.

The university says it fired Richardson after he publicly called for his contract to be bought out.

Richardson claims he was fired because he is black and outspoken.

Richardson is asking for nearly $9-million for back pay and other lost compensation and $2-million in damages.

The case was heard without a jury, and U-S District Judge William Wilson is to rule.