In a resounding defeat for ousted University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill, a judge decided Tuesday to neither give the controversial professor his job back at CU nor award him any financial compensation for his dismissal from the school nearly two years ago.

The ruling from Chief Denver District Judge Larry Naves, which was released this afternoon, comes in stunning contrast to a jury's verdict from a civil trial Churchill brought against the school earlier this year, in which six jurors determined that CU had unlawfully stripped Churchill of his job for expressing his political beliefs in a controversial essay he wrote about the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

The judge's ruling puts to an end a 4 1/2 year saga that generated headlines across the nation and set talk radio abuzz, with politicians, academicians and pundits locked in debates over patriotism, the limits of free speech on campus, and what constitutes academic misconduct.

Let the wailing and gnashing of teeth (not to mention the endless appeals) begin!

...and just because good news bears repeating:
Judge rules Churchill will not get job back
No job, no money for Ward Churchill
Colo. Prof In 9/11 Flap Loses Bid To Reclaim Job

Update: Judge Naves decision (pdf; ht Leah (again!))

Update II (Churchill, hoist by his legal sock-puppet's petard department) (from Judge Naves' decision):

If I granted reinstatement I believe there is a substantial likelihood that there would be future disputes about the propriety of Professor Churchill’s academic conduct, as well as the Department of Ethnic Studies’ ability to evaluate the probity and veracity of his scholarship. Those disputes would necessarily raise the question of whether the University has retaliated against Professor Churchill, especially given Professor Churchill’s counsel’s post-verdict statements, such as, “Anything that is deemed retaliatory is another lawsuit. If they look at him cross-eyed, they could very well end up back in court.”

Update III (Churchill, hoist by his own petard department) (from Judge Naves' decision):

I rely upon Professor Churchill’s statements demonstrating his hostility to the University. His statements illustrate that reinstatement, as a practical matter, is not likely to create productive and amicable working relationships.

Update IV (Churchill, hoist by his own petard department) (from Judge Naves' decision):

Professor Churchill’s own statements during the trial established that he has not seriously pursued any efforts to gain comparable employment, but has instead has chosen to give lectures and other presentations as a means of supplementing his income. Reportedly, he even “received a few job offers” that he declined to pursue. [...] Under these circumstances, I do not believe an award of front pay is appropriate.

Update V (from Judge Naves' decision):

The evidence was credible that Professor Churchill will not only be the most visible member of the Department of Ethnic Studies if reinstated, but that reinstatement will create the perception in the broader academic community that the Department of Ethnic Studies tolerates research misconduct. The evidence was also credible that this perception will make it more difficult for the Department of Ethnic Studies to attract and retain new faculty members. In addition, this negative perception has great potential to hinder students graduating from the Department of Ethnic Studies in their efforts to obtain placement in graduate programs.

To avoid this unnecessary cost and complexity, the University agreed to waive its Eleventh Amendment immunity, thus allowing direct claims to be brought against the University and the Board of Regents. In return for the ability to bring direct claims, however, Professor Churchill agreed that the University acquired the ability to assert any defenses that would be available to individual Regents. [...] Therefore, because quasi-judicial immunity was a “defense that would have been applicable to any of its officials or employees” it is a defense available to the University and the Board of Regents.

Update VI: DrunkaBlech reports Churchill's legal sock-puppet, David Lane, will be holding a press conference at 4pm today. Drunka's live-blogging coverage from Crapless & Silverfish*

Update VII: We missed this first read-through, but Judge Naves also VACATED the jury award (the infamous One Dollar Victory™). Great catch, Amy! @sspats be upon you!

Update VIII (and apropos to nothing):

The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clinched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Oh! somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville -- mighty Casey has struck out.

 *  ©2006 Churchill's dog, Benjie. All Rights Reserved. Used without permission.