By Malynda Fulton
The Valdosta Daily Times
May 08, 2008 01:10 am
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VALDOSTA — The state rested Wednesday during the second day of trial in the case against Jeremy Albert Bennett, a Sallas Mahone Elementary School teacher charged with sexual battery and child molestation; but not before recordings of the forensic interviews with the alleged victims were shown.
Assistant District Attorney Laura Wood, who is prosecuting the case, presented two videotapes that included individual accounts given by two female students who allege that Bennett touched them inappropriately in the classroom. The tapes were verified by Teresa Thomas of the Children’s Advocacy Center before playing. Thomas was on the witness stand at the time.
During the interviews, conducted by Thomas, the 7-year-old girls were asked to identify various body parts on males and females before pointing out which parts they felt were inappropriate to touch. The first child identified the “t-t,” “boobies,” “weenie” and “booty” as “not okay” places to touch during her interview. The second child identified the “chest,” “bottom,” “don’t know” and “butt” as “not okay” places to touch.
When asked whether anyone had touched them in inappropriate places, both girls identified Bennett as touching them on two or more occasions on or around their “booty” or “butt.” The first child, who is the daughter of Valdosta City Schools Health Director Beth Deloach, mentioned that Bennett rubbed her four to five times within the first three weeks of school. The second child, the daughter of VCS Social Worker Deanna Folsom, said that Bennett patted her “butt” twice and rubbed the skin under her shirt three times. The children were then asked to demonstrate the touches they experienced with dolls.
Wetherington later questioned the credibility of the second child’s account since she described several scenarios in which she was purposely or accidentally touched in inappropriate places by her peers and did not mention Bennett until she was asked a sixth time whether anyone else had touched her in a negative manner.
Sallas Mahone Guidance Counselor Kim Bolton and Valdosta Police Detective Scotty Johns also testified for the prosecution Wednesday. Each gave accounts of the roles they played in Bennett’s investigation.
After the prosecution rested, Wetherington moved that Bennett be acquitted of all counts since he did not believe the prosecution had proven Bennett committed any offenses. The judge denied the motion, but assured Wetherington that he would reconsider one count at the end of the trial.
Defense Opens with Bennett’s Testimony
Jeremy Bennett was the first witness to testify for the defense Wednesday. Wetherington began his interrogation by requesting that Bennett tell the jury about himself. Bennett graduated from Valdosta High School in 1997 and earned a degree in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State University in 2002. He has been a member of Northside Baptist Church for 12 years and has a twin brother, Justin.
When asked to describe a normal school day at Sallas Mahone, Bennett explained that he rarely sat behind his desk and usually walked around or stood in front of the desk as he taught the class. He added that no students were allowed behind his desk, which is where he kept confidential documents and grading tools. This information contradicted the information given by Deloach’s daughter, who said that every time Bennett touched her, it took place behind his desk.
Bennett also mentioned that several teachers would come in an out of the classroom throughout the day.
When asked whether he would ever touch a child inappropriately, Bennett replied, “I would never touch anyone inappropriately.”
Wetherington then asked him whether he ever touched the alleged victims. Bennett’s response was “Never.”
Before taking his seat, Bennett was asked to stand beside the defense table, which was determined to be the same height as the desk in Bennett’s classroom. Deloach’s daughter mentioned that each time Bennett touched her behind his desk, he was standing. Wetherington asked the jury to observe the defendant’s height compared to the height of the table. As Bennett stood, he towered over the table.
Bennett’s testimony was followed by the testimonies of 24 character witnesses, which included several church members, friends and Sallas Mahone employees.
Among witnesses was Misty Watkins, who taught the children while they were in first grade at Sallas Mahone. Watkins said that the alleged victims, who are best friends, had several behavioral problems, one more than the other. Watkins described Deloach’s daughter as the “leader” and a “manipulator.” She described Folsom’s daughter as the “follower.”
During her testimony Watkins recalled two occasions when she was confronted by Folsom, who complained that her daughter had been kissed or touched inappropriately by other students. She added that Folsom’s daughter would often repeat things her mother said about work and other people in class and other settings.
As Wood cross-examined Watkins, she argued that the children never accused her of sexual misconduct, despite Watkin’s claims that they got in trouble several times in class. She then presented Watkins with the alleged victims’ report cards, which were filled with A’s and comments from Watkins that reflected what a joy it was to have the girls in her class. In Watkin’s notes, she described the children as “sweet” and said they made teaching fun.
Watkins later explained that her comments on report cards were usually generic and she rarely indicated behavioral problems unless they were of a serious nature.
Nonetheless, Watkins, along with the other character witnesses, all agreed that Bennett had a reputation of high character, which includes treating children appropriately. Witnesses added that they would believe Bennett under oath.
A few more character witnesses are scheduled to testify when court resumes.
Bennett, 28, was taken into custody Sept. 20, 2007 after two warrants were issued for his arrest. Reports that Bennett had engaged in sexual misconduct with at least one child at Sallas Mahone Elementary School were brought to Principal Gary Glover’s attention Aug. 24, 2007. Glover then contacted former Superintendent Sam Allen, who followed proper protocol by sending Bennett home and alerting the Department of Family and Children Services.
DFACS informed the Valdosta Police Department of the situation a few days later. After determining probable cause, the VPD Bureau of Investigations began an investigation and the warrants were issued.
Since the incident, Bennett has not been allowed to return to the school.
Bennett was indicted on two counts of sexual battery and one count of child molestation in November 2007.
Court will resume today at 9:30 a.m. Lowndes County Superior Court Judge Harry J. Altman, II is presiding over the trial.
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