Posted on 07/14/2009 11:37:34 PM PDT by Chet 99
A 21-year-old Omaha man testified that his life hasn't been the same since a Millard middle school teacher, more than twice his age, took his virginity while he was in eighth grade.
The man, 14 at the time of the alleged assault, said he began smoking marijuana to cope with the pain of being molested. He cut and burned himself and stopped going to high school because he couldn't trust his teachers. He also had trust problems with friends, especially girls.
Prosecutors accuse Stephanie Draper, 36, of Blair, Neb., of having a sexual relationship in 2002 with the boy she met but never taught at Millard North Middle School. She is charged with first-degree sexual assault of a minor, a crime punishable by up to 50 years in prison.
In opening arguments Tuesday afternoon in Sarpy County District Court, Draper's attorney, Chris Perrone of Papillion, told the jury that some of Draper's actions were inappropriate but that his client never had sex with the boy. Advertising
The former student's story is different.
According to the man's testimony Tuesday, Draper had seemed really nice. She picked him up and bought him dinner at the Olive Garden. She asked for his cell phone number and called him to see how he was doing. He felt comfortable with her.
A few weeks later, he testified, she invited him over to her house to watch a movie. She served him a glass of Tequila Rose liqueur and told him, “If there was a student I'd like, it would be you.” He felt “weirded out.” Draper started to kiss his lips and neck and pulled off his pants.
Then, he said, she straddled him on the couch. On another occasion, he testified, she give him oral sex and instructed him on how to give her the same.
The former student said he told his mother when he couldn't keep quiet any longer. Draper had worked with her. His mother was infuriated and sent an e-mail in January 2008 questioning Draper's behavior. The e-mail exchange that prosecutors say ensued was shown to jurors Tuesday.
Draper wrote back that she had been inappropriate with the boy “only about 10 percent of the time.” The former student was angry that Draper didn't admit what he described as the truth, so he responded by telling her to pay him $5,000 for the five years he's suffered or he would go to police. She wrote back saying she didn't have the money, but offered him a ring she said was worth that amount.
In an e-mail to the former student, Draper apologized, writing, “I'm sorry. ... I will go to counseling.” In another e-mail, she wrote, “I've been so scared. I know what I did was wrong. ... At the time, it didn't feel that way.”
She resigned in February 2008 and was arrested in July 2008.
The former student told the jury that he wanted justice served and Draper “behind bars.” Draper is out on bail. She was ordered not to have contact with anyone younger than 18, except her own children.
The trial continues today with cross-examination of the former student.
Contact the writer:
444-1336, leia.mendoza@owh.com
She is not guilty. Falsely accused!
Not Guilty...
Hey Chet, what’s the deal? Two post with “Bad Teacher Does Student” as the topic in five minutes? Do you actively look for these type stories? Not that I’m complaining. It’s a lot more interesting than that politics slop. :)
Bogus charge. NOT GUILTY !!
So all the fem teachers are going after the boys eh? Looks like feminism might be a back-fire.
This whiner is really, really pathetic.
and these are the brains that we have teaching.....(not to say all becasue I have a dear sister who taught)
She molests me every time I go over to her house, how do I make it stop!
I could give the young man the benefit of the doubt except for his attempts at blackmail.
>> so he responded by telling her to pay him $5,000 for the five years he's suffered or he would go to police. She wrote back saying she didn't have the money, but offered him a ring she said was worth that amount <<
Ah, I see. He needed $5000 to heal the "emotional distress" from a 20-something hottie doing naughty things to him. Yeah, I'm sure this guy realized in hindsight he had been victimized and only thousands of $$$ would heal the "pain" she had caused with consensual sexual activity between the two of them.
I'm sorry, I'm not buying it. And I'm a social conservative. These are the times my libertarian streak shows through. Any other guy in his situation would probably be looking back on those days fondly.
Where were all these teachers when I growing up? Damn.
Not Guilty.
These seems like bogus charges. Why the hell did he wait so long to testify.
This happened 7 yrs ago, is there not a statute of limitations here?
False accusation.
And seven years later, who really cares anyway?
I will have to get back to you after she cleans herself up and get some makeup. I think the 21 year old man is a wimp. Seriously he is blaming smoking dope and cutting himself due to this teacher...I think he would be messed in the head anyway. Get over it! Grow up! And stop blaming others for your problems.
Not guilty.
Maybe she was a pit bull in ladies' clothing?
Uh yeah. Let's see what I did I do all day sitting in class at 14-15. Oh that's right I fantasized about the paltry few of borderline attractive teachers.
This guy seemed to be willingly 'dating' her at the time.
And obviously, cutting himself, he has mental health issues.
I'm not saying it's all-together impossible for a post pubescent male to be 'molested' by a woman but if it's an attractive woman, odds are it would be more of a "dream come true".
Travesty of justice. Not Guilty.
I would have to vote, “not proven” at this time. Perhaps if the perpetrator would take me to the scene of the alleged crime and replicate it I would have enough information to give a vote of either not guilty or guilty.
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