New York Judge to Rule on Van der Sloot Lawsuit

As a New York judge prepares to rule on the jurisdiction in that state of a civil lawsuit filed by the family of Natalee Holloway against Joran van der Sloot and his father, FOX News' Greata Van Susteren, who heard the arguments from both sides during a hearing today, called the decision a "cliffhanger" meaning, she said, the judge could "write an air-tight decision either way."

The lawsuit, filed in February when the Van der Sloots were in New York to appear on a television news program, claims that Joran imprisoned and sexually assaulted Natalee Holloway, causing her disappearance.

Joseph Tacopina, attorney for the Van der Sloots, asked the court to dismiss the suit and send it to Aruba, saying the state of New York had no interest in the matter.

Scott Balber, an attorney for the Holloway family, told the judge the case should be heard in New York because the law gives "deference to the plaintiff's choice of forum."

"No site is perfect," Balber said, "not New York, Aruba, Alabama or Mississippi. This is their last chance for justice, to find out what happened to their daughter."

Meanwhile, Natalee is still missing, no one has been charged with any crime in connection with her disappearance, and there is apparently no concrete evidence yet that a crime has been committed.

See Also:
Natalee's Family Sues Van Der Sloots
Natalee Holloway's Family Hires Attorney, Search Team
Natalee Holloway: Missing in Aruba