Posted on 11/14/2003 5:56:42 AM PST by Theodore R.
Teacher admits guilt in deal for probated molestation sentence
BY ELIZABETH LANGTON AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
An Amarillo teacher who molested a 16-year-old student pleaded guilty Thursday in exchange for a sentence that could keep a conviction off his record but requires him to register for life as a sex offender.
David A. Brown, 45, of Amarillo admitted to fondling a student on five occasions between Dec. 15, 2002, and Jan. 8 during rendezvous away from school property.
Until Thursday, Brown had adamantly denied his guilt. He did not testify during the five-day trial.
The proceedings were moved to Lubbock because of excessive publicity in Amarillo.
In an extremely unusual move, prosecutors and the defense reached a deal Thursday morning that called for District Judge John Board to set aside guilty verdicts reached by a jury late Wednesday.
In turn, Brown pleaded guilty to the charges and accepted deferred adjudication. He had faced a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
If Brown successfully completes 10 years' probation, no conviction will appear on his record. The deal requires Brown to register as a sex offender, waive any appeals and submit a written admission and apology to Amarillo's newspaper.
Prosecutor Robert Love said Brown's confession was extremely important for the victim.
"It vindicates her," he said. "Finally she's going to get some public vindication that she was telling the truth and he did these things to her."
Brown's apology letter says in part, "I am guilty of each and every criminal offense contained in those indictments. I am admitting my guilt because I am guilty and for no other reason."
Defense attorney Bill Kelly said the possibility of a prison sentence led Brown to take the deal.
He and his family "feel much better about 10 years' deferred adjudication than a felony conviction," Kelly said.
The plea hearing was interrupted about 1:30 p.m. when Brown suffered an anxiety attack. He went to a Lubbock hospital by ambulance but returned to court about 6:30 p.m.
The victim, now 17, testified that she and Brown met at least three times at the mall between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15, 2002, to talk. School officials already had barred the teacher and student from contact after the girl's parents complained about inappropriate after-school meetings.
During their next six meetings, they drove to remote locations in Brown's car and engaged in sexual contact, the victim said.
Two of those meetings occurred in Potter County. Brown has not been charged in those cases.
In March, after Brown's indictment, he and the girl met in a supermarket. The victim recorded their conversation, which is the basis of a pending Potter County witness-tampering charge.
Brown taught world history and geography at Tascosa and coached the cross country team. The Amarillo school district fired him after his indictment.
blangton@lubbockonline.com 766-8795
"As you can see from my record, I have never been convicted of any crime in my entire life. Excuse me? Why do I register as a sex offender? Oh, no reason. No reason at all. Now, since my record is clean, I hope you will consider me for the position of HS teacher."
Yet another perp who lied and lied to try to save his own skin.
Even if he made this statement before a trial and some deal I wouldn't believe it.
If I am ever accused of a crime I want this prosecutor and this judge.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.