Trial Set for Former Pharmacy Dean Accused of Sexual Assault

Former University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Dean Jessie Lyle Bootman is pleading not guilty to charges of sexual assault, sexual abuse, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and administering a dangerous drug to another person.

Bootman’s jury trial is scheduled for February 7, 2017, at 10:30 AM at the Pima County Superior Court. The length of the trial is estimated to be 8 days.

The former dean is now free from custody, Court House News reported.

Last fall, a realtor said she was having drinks with a friend when Bootman allegedly approached her and invited her to see his house.

When she began collecting her things to leave his house, she blacked out and woke up with blood on her hand and face.

The lawsuit stated that the woman had a broken nose, injuries to her knee, a hernia, vaginal lacerations and cuts, bruises on her leg and back, and cuts on her lip. The woman also said she saw a bottle of pills on a briefcase as she was leaving, according to the lawsuit.

Tests later determined that the woman had been given a date-rape drug, which caused her to become unconscious, Court House News reported.

In February 2015, new details emerged from the investigation surrounding Bootman. A bartender who was referred to as “Ms. M” and was familiar with Bootman described the former dean as “creepy” and that it was “just a matter of time before he did something like that.”

A retired pharmacy professor also told police that the sexual accusations were “very believable,” but he was surprised to hear accusations of violence. The former professor also told police that he had heard stories of Bootman trying to buy drinks for pharmacy students.

In November 2015, the University of Arizona appointed John E. Murphy, PharmD, as interim dean of its pharmacy school. One month later, the university announced it was searching for a new dean since Dr. Murphy didn’t want to be considered for the position long-term.

The search committee was scheduled to start looking for a new dean in January, and the school expects to hire a new dean around July 1, 2016.

The school’s press release noted that it was a “time of transition,” but Joe G.N. Garcia, MD, senior vice president for health sciences, said he was impressed with the professionalism shown by the entire university community.