Ex-coach in sex case found unconscious at home

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | 12/18/03 | Kathleen Brady Shea

[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.

[My2Cents]

She's *frittered* away her life...

[Yeti]

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.

[Holly_P]

Oh, please.

My thoughts too. I get a chuckle when I read something like that.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

How many others has he raped?

[Indie]

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)

[1rudeboy]

She.

[squidly]

I suppose this thread deserves her pic

[csvset]

The coach, in happier times.

[Clintons Are White Trash]

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.....

[cherry]

you can die from an overdose of Tylenol as well as Aspirin......

[scott91]

i was nearly run over by a train of thought once.

[Spunky]

It can happen.

Tylenol Overdose

[Yeti]

I was nearly blinded by a flash of insight.

[Chuckster]

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.

[Holly_P]

Enough of ANY substance will kill you. People who "attempt" sucicide with tylonal are not serious.

[Yeti]

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.

[Lockbar]

"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)

[NonValueAdded]

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.

[Orange1998]

Drinking water can be dangerous.