Posted on 03/21/2006 10:41:14 AM PST by JABBERBONK
TAMPA - An Ocala judge rejected a plea deal that would have given house arrest to Debra Lafave, a former Greco Middle School English teacher accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student.
“It is the opinion of this court that accepting the proposed plea agreement would undermine the credibility of this court, and the criminal justice system as a whole, and would erode public confidence in our schools,” wrote Marion County Circuit Court Judge Hale Stancil Tuesday.
At a hearing earlier this month, Stancil read a prepared statement that suggested he was not inclined to support the deal.
Prosecutors told him the teen’s mother was worried about the mental strain on her son, should he be forced to testify. A psychiatrist said the teen needed anonymity, not the media attention of a trial.
Regardless, Stancil said no one likes to testify. In his six-page order, Stancil reiterated that sentiment.
“This court cannot comprehend any individual --whether he is 15, 45, of 75 years old-- looking forward to discussing such an experience in public,” he wrote.
Stancil pointed out that the minimum sentence recommended for Lafave’s charges is 16.93 years. The plea deal would place her on house arrest for three years followed by seven years of probation.
In November, Lafave pleaded guilty to similar charges in Hillsborough County. That plea deal was contingent upon Stancil accepting the Marion County deal. Should the case proceed to trial in Marion, Lafave could withdraw her plea in Hillsborough, sending it to trial here as well.
A trial is preliminarily scheduled to begin April 10 in Ocala, according to the Marion County court calendar.
At least two possibilities could prevent that from happening.
The Marion County state attorney could dismiss the Marion County charges. In that scenario, the Hillsborough plea would stand and Lafave would remain on house arrest.
Or, Lafave’s attorney could ask Stancil to recuse himself. Independent attorneys have suggested that Stancil’s comments to an Ocala newspaper were inappropriate and show that he is biased.
In Florida, a defense attorney is allowed one opportunity to ask for a new judge. If Lafave’s attorney points out reasons Stancil cannot be fair and impartial, the judge will not be able to keep the case, even if he disagrees.
John Fitzgibbons, Lafave’s Tampa attorney, has scheduled a 3:30 p.m. news conference to discuss the former model’s case. Lafave is also scheduled to attend, the law office said.
Another dumb judge.
I know this is an unpopular stand here, but IT'S DIFFERENT WITH TEENAGE BOYS. My God, a teacher who looks like that? I'm sure he told all his friends and he was the BMOC. Honestly, if she wasn't arrested, it would have been something he would look back fondly on the rest of his life. Now, flame away.
The guys who do this with their adolescent students get hard time.
I'm all for equal rights. Along with equal responsibility.
Go directly to jail, Ms. LaFave. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.
I'm glad you will have nothing to do with my boy's upbringing.
"Honestly, if she wasn't arrested, it would have been something he would look back fondly on the rest of his life."
It's not like they can't hook up again in prison, Hildy. That is pretty bad, I know, but stranger things have happened.
No double standards.
Finally - a judge who advocates justice instead of excuses. In Florida no less.
Now-a-days, you're just glad that you're son's not gay!
Hear, hear.
Yeah... I'm with you! Dude scored in a BIG way! On the other hand I feel like a schmuck for writing that. As a parent I'd have to ensure I did all I could to see she gets punished, but boy, would I have a tough time telling my Son that having sex with her was wrong!!
They should turn her over to me. I'd spank her.
Hildy, with teenage boys, yes it's different. he was probably bragging about banging the hot teacher to all his friends... But she is an adult just like predator males who seduce 14 year old girls. She needs to be held accountable for HER choice.
It's only an unpopular stand with the folks who are in complete denial about the differences between the genders and each's respective approach to sexual relations, and the plain fact that a woman cannot force herself on an unwilling male, but a man can force himself on an unwilling female.
It's pathetic that you would have any difficulty telling your son that it's wrong to sleep with another man's wife.
I see Hildy's point. What I don't see is how the teacher could have been so stupid. In Florida there is window for consensual sex between a minor and an adult. I think it's between 16yrs old-24yrs old (I could be wrong...give or take a year on the top side), but as I understand it she could have excerted some self control and waited 2yrs. She didn't...she wanted to engage in taboo sex, and it caught up with her. She is beautiful (no doubt), but stupid, and she lacks self control. What if it had been a teenage girl? Would we feel the same about a lesbian relationship w/a minor?
Or this:
Men are prosecuted and serve long sentences even when the female student was willing.
Girls are just as capable of fantasizing about "cute teachers" as boys are.
The issue is that teachers are expected to exercise self-control and not take advantage of students.
I'm sure if she'd given the kid his first shot of heroin instead of his first act of adultery the kid would also have enjoyed it immensely. But it would still be morally and legally unacceptable
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.