Family of Chessy Prout continues to push for Michael Delaney judge nomination to be reconsidered

by Marissa Tansino
WMUR New Hampshire
1 min read

The Senate judiciary committee is considering former New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney for a federal judge nominee.

The judiciary committee is meeting Thursday and the nominee at the top of the list is Michael Delaney.

Chessy Prout’s father, Alex Prout, wants to see the nomination of Delaney reconsidered after his role as a lawyer for St. Paul’s School in Concord.

Delaney represented the school when then-freshman Chessy Prout accused senior Owen Labrie of sexual assault.

“The feelings of survivors, the rights of survivors are not a political issue. This should be something that is basic and fundamental from a human perspective,” Alex Prout said. “And there should be some recognition that what Delaney did was wrong.”

Now, Delaney is being nominated for a federal appeals court judge.

“We are still quite surprised that Delaney’s nomination is being considered,” Alex Prout said.

Delaney was grilled last month by senators on the judiciary committee saying he was pushing to make Prout’s identity public in the case.

Prout said he doesn’t think Delaney’s actions in the case prove he’s suitable for a federal judgeship.

“The survivors that do speak up like our daughter Chessy did nine years ago have to face a Delaney in the process,” Alex Prout said. “Every survivor who speaks up faces a Delaney eventually and we felt compelled to call out the wrong that Delaney did.”

News 9 reached out to offices for Sen. Maggie Hassan and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen for comment. According to their offices, both senators continue to strongly support Delaney’s nomination.