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Ex-coach in sex case found unconscious at home
Philadelphia Inquirer ^
| 12/18/03
| Kathleen Brady Shea
Posted on 12/18/2003 4:25:53 PM PST by Holly_P
Elisa Fritter, the former youth lacrosse coach who pleaded guilty to having sex with two teenage boys and hosting underage drinking parties, was found unconscious in her Pottstown home after she failed to appear at a sentencing hearing this morning.
Authorities said Fritter, 39, was taken to Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, which would not release information about her condition.
Fritter's attorney, Jack McMahon, said he was not surprised by the news.
"At this point, we don't know the cause," said McMahon. "It could be self-induced or a stroke; I just hope she's OK."
McMahon said if Fritter attempted suicide, it would reinforce "what a fragile, emotional person she is."
Fritter, 39, overdosed on Tylenol on Oct. 26, 2002, the day after county detectives executed a search warrant at her East Coventry Township residence, where they seized bed linens and a computer. Police found her unresponsive in her car on a rural road in West Vincent Township.
She was arrested at Phoenixville Hospital, where she spent several days recuperating.
Authorities began an investigation after receiving anonymous tips that Fritter, who coached the under-13 league of the Pottstown Lacrosse Association for Youth with her husband, David, had become involved with two teenage boys, one 15 and one 16.
During a preliminary hearing in January, five teenage boys offered graphic testimony about their relationships with Fritter during the summer of 2002. Four of the teens said she gave them beer, and two said their contact with her became sexual.
In July, Fritter pleaded guilty to multiple counts of statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors, indecent assault, recklessly endangering another person, and selling or furnishing liquor to minors.
She also pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful contact with a minor, a charge that triggers a provision of Megan's Law: an evaluation to determine whether she is a sexually violent predator.
A hearing on the results of that assessment would have preceded today's sentencing.
McMahon, with backing from the Defender Association of Philadelphia and the American Civil Liberties Union, sought to exclude "any evidence derived from that assessment," arguing that the provisions of the law are unconstitutional.
The judge denied McMahon's request today, stating that the issues had been raised and resolved by appellate courts.
In a sentencing memorandum, Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth B. Pitts argued that Fritter's crimes justified a "substantial sentence in a state correctional facility." Not only has Fritter shown no remorse for her conduct, but she has also blamed the victims, Pitts said.
Asked whether Fritter was prepared to spend time in jail, McMahon said no.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact staff writer Kathleen Brady Shea at 610-701-7625 or kbrady@phillynews.com.
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS:
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1
posted on
12/18/2003 4:25:54 PM PST
by
Holly_P
To: Holly_P
She's *frittered* away her life...
2
posted on
12/18/2003 4:28:23 PM PST
by
My2Cents
("Well....there you go again...")
To: Holly_P
Fritter, 39, overdosed on Tylenol on Oct. 26, 2002, the day after county detectives executed a search warrant at her East Coventry Township residence, where they seized bed linens and a computer. Oh, please.
3
posted on
12/18/2003 4:37:55 PM PST
by
Yeti
To: Yeti
Oh, please. My thoughts too. I get a chuckle when I read something like that.
4
posted on
12/18/2003 4:41:29 PM PST
by
Holly_P
(Everytime that video clip of Sadaam plays on TV it "bitch slaps" a democrat somewhere.)
How many others has he raped?
To: Holly_P
Hmm..when I was in high school, there was at least one babe of a teacher that dated her students. Never got fired that I know of and it was common knowledge..of course the kids I think were 18 and seniors. (1975)
6
posted on
12/18/2003 4:55:04 PM PST
by
Indie
(Have you bought more ammo today?)
To: At _War_With_Liberals
She.
7
posted on
12/18/2003 4:59:57 PM PST
by
1rudeboy
To: Holly_P
I suppose this thread deserves her pic
8
posted on
12/18/2003 5:04:49 PM PST
by
squidly
(Although prepared for martyrdom, I prefer that it be postponed.)
To: Holly_P
The coach, in happier times.
9
posted on
12/18/2003 5:05:47 PM PST
by
csvset
To: Indie
We had a teacher that left his wife and 3 kids for a student. They married a month after graduation. I believe he's a principal now.....
To: Yeti
you can die from an overdose of Tylenol as well as Aspirin......
11
posted on
12/18/2003 5:15:18 PM PST
by
cherry
To: Yeti
i was nearly run over by a train of thought once.
12
posted on
12/18/2003 5:16:16 PM PST
by
scott91
To: Holly_P; Yeti
13
posted on
12/18/2003 5:25:13 PM PST
by
Spunky
(This little tag just keeps following me where ever I go.)
To: scott91
I was nearly blinded by a flash of insight.
14
posted on
12/18/2003 5:28:03 PM PST
by
Yeti
To: Indie
A few years after high school I was home on leave from the Army and one of my former classmates, then a teacher at the high school, confessed that she was having a hard time avoiding sexual encounters with students. She just found some of them too attractive.
She was fired shortly after because she couldn't control herself.
Seems that this sort of thing is not all that uncommon.
15
posted on
12/18/2003 5:32:19 PM PST
by
Chuckster
("Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it." George Bernard Shaw)
To: Spunky
Enough of ANY substance will kill you. People who "attempt" sucicide with tylonal are not serious.
16
posted on
12/18/2003 5:34:05 PM PST
by
Holly_P
(Everytime that video clip of Sadaam plays on TV it "bitch slaps" a democrat somewhere.)
To: Holly_P; Spunky
found unconscious in her Pottstown home after she failed to appear at a sentencing hearing this morning. Just in time to demonstrate how very remorseful she is for the benefit the sentencing judge.
17
posted on
12/18/2003 5:42:43 PM PST
by
Yeti
To: Chuckster
"She was fired shortly after because she couldn't control herself."
Darn Chuckster, you blew your chance, unless you were married. She was giving you a hint! (evil grin)
18
posted on
12/18/2003 5:45:26 PM PST
by
Lockbar
To: Holly_P
Maybe they aren't serious, but the liver damage side effects can be. That makes it all the more sad; someone takes a "safe" overdose as a cry for help but ends up doing the job a little too well. Follow the link in Spunky's post
#13. I recall this being part of the plot line on ER or maybe Third Watch.
19
posted on
12/18/2003 6:28:58 PM PST
by
NonValueAdded
("Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." GWB 9/20/01)
To: Yeti
Drinking water can be dangerous.
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