Washington, DC (TLS). More doubts have surfaced concerning the Allena Williams Ward teacher sex scandal in South Carolina. As previously reported on The Liberty Sphere, so much about this case borders on the bizarre that the allegations against the former middle school teacher beg the question of authenticity.
The latest series of questions focus squarely on the parents of the teenagers involved.
These are boys allegedly between the ages of 14 and 15. Teenagers of that age do not even have driver's licenses. And if they are allowed to drive under some sort of permit, it is only during daylight hours under adult supervision. In other words, an adult has to be in the vehicle.
Where were these parents? Why was there no adequate supervision of the boys? How did they get from 'point A' to 'point B?' Did Ward drive them to the various sites of the alleged rendezvous?
What about the allegation of a major motel in Clinton being the site of one of these meetings? A well-known teacher in a small town, who grew up in that town, going to the only major motel in the area with a young teenage boy or boys would surely be noticed and thus raise suspicions.
Is there a record of Allena Williams Ward checking into that motel? These days one must have a major credit card to be given a room in a major motel chain. If she had, in fact, checked into that motel, there is a record.
Does the Circuit Solicitor have that record, or is he simply taking the word of the boys?
So far absolutely no confirmation has been made by the Solicitor's office that Ward was ever a guest at that motel.
Further, does Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace possess the record of the supposed text message in which Ward allegedly tells one student to 'keep his mouth shut?' If so, once again there has been absolutely no confirmation that such a text message exists, except on the word of one of the teenagers and his attorney. In fact, Peace stated as of Wednesday of this week that he did NOT have a record of any such text message. Thus, it is clear that Peace is basing this allegation entirely on the word of the teenage boy in question and his attorney.
That attorney, by the way, is one Karl Allen, who is representing three of the boys. Why do these teenagers need an attorney when supposedly the Solicitor is prosecuting their case before the court?
There is yet one more salient point about this case that raises doubt. The statement made by one of the boys that Ward told him to 'keep his mouth shut' is oddly reminiscent of what the students at Ware Shoals High School claim their principal, Jane Blackwell, told them when the scandal broke concerning the cheerleaders and their coach, Jill Moore.
The students claim that they interpreted Blackwell's directive as a threat, that they should keep their mouths shut and refuse to speak to authorities about the case. Blackwell, however, stated that she merely wanted the students to refrain from engaging in gossip and rumor in the midst of an investigation by law enforcement and that she never intended for her students not to speak to authorities about what they knew.
Yet, this one single statement by Blackwell, on the word of high school teenagers, was enough to get the principal arrested on the charge of obstruction.
Ware Shoals is a mere 30 miles or so from Clinton. The case in Ware Shoals brought international media coverage. The fact that Blackwell was arrested on obstruction for merely telling students not to talk about the case was headline news for weeks, particularly in the local area.
Did one of the boys in Clinton borrow a page from the Ware Shoals playbook in putting together this series of allegations that so far has totally ruined a teacher's life and career?
The case has not even gone to trial, and yet here we are a mere two weeks after the arrest of Ward, and we have already shed light upon a series of doubts that may well lead up to one big question mark that could break this case apart. The legal term is 'reasonable doubt,' and it is a biggie.
If a jury looks at these questions carefully, without any supporting documentation that would prove any of the allegations, that jury may well decide that there is enough reasonable doubt to render a verdict of 'not guilty.'
In addition, a smart prosecutor may well look at these questions and decide that this is a case that is not worth pursuing any further.
Time will tell.
Friday, March 09, 2007
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10 comments:
The Clinton Motel is not the only major motel in the area and it is on the interstate.
I would say that the prosecution's case rests on whether or not they can place Ms. Ward at the hotel. If they can't do that, they have no case. If they have her there, she better have a very good explanation for it.
Peace said he knew that a text message existed, but did not know what it said at the bond hearing.
Peace appears to be trying to make a name for himself in "bad teacher" prosecutions. This is not necessarily official misconduct, but is isn't exactly seeking justice either. Of course, no one ever lost an election by being too hard on sex predators in the schools.
As disturbing as the case of Wendie Ann Schweikert in neighboring Laurens is, Peace's conduct is still unusual.
Schweikert did confess to the crime. (I had not realized that she did earlier.) Yet, Peace tried to get the judge to deny bail because she was a "danger to the community" and a "flight risk". This of a woman with no prior criminal record who could not afford an attorney.
Once again, these cases are usually pled out, but Peace is going to trial. A trial date has not been set.
In the Ware Shoals case, it appears that he wanted to charge somebody with something, although no sex crime occurred.
However, in both of these cases, the scandal was not a shock. Ms. Schweikert had an unusually close relationship with the boy before the charges surfaced, and Ms. Moore's escapades with her friends and her cheerleaders weren't exactly a secret in Ware Shoals. However, everyone who knows Ms. Ward is completely shocked by the charges. No one saw this coming. No one noticed anything.
Teachers talk to teachers, especially in communities this small. No wonder Ms. Ward is scared. No wonder she went straight to an attorney. No wonder she's not talking.
We also don't know what the infamous note said, although it was "inappropriate". Of course, an inappropriate note or even an inappropriate relationship, is not necessarily a sex crime.
Was this note evidence of a crime, or was it just an example of bad judgment by a young teacher that an understandably hyper vigilant school administration overreacted to? I don't know, but I doubt Ms. Ward would have admitted to writing it if it were potentially evidence.
(This has happened before, in Texas.
http://www.courier-gazette.com/articles/2006/09/22/lewisville_leader/news/002news.txt
This one wasn't even indicted, although this may because the grand jury believed no one should be indicted for having consensual sex with an 18 year old adult.)
If Ms. Ward is guilty of wrongdoing, she won't receive any lenience, although I believe this case would call for it. If she is not, she knows she's being railroaded.
Tell me more about the motel situation in Clinton, since I am not that familiar with the town. You say the Clinton Motel is not the only major motel in town and is on the Interstate highway.
Do you know if their payment policy is the same as that of major hotel/motel chains? That you need a credit card to check in?
If they accept cash, then it will be more difficult to establish a paper trail, particularly if she used a fictitious name.
Martyn
I have never been to the Clinton Motel, but I know where it is. Google is my friend. That's how I found your site. (BTW, Allenna has 2 'n's)
Clinton is where I-385 meets I-26. That exit is right next to the split. It's roughly the midpoint between Greenville, Spartanburg, and Columbia.
I don't know their policies, but I can't imagine ANY motel would ever book a room without SOME form of ID. It's too risky. Someone could trash the room and leave. Even if they took cash, they would want a driver's license.
As for myself, I live in South Carolina about an hour away from Clinton, so this is all over the local media.
Anyway, there was an interesting article in the Greenville News today.
http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/
article?AID=/20070311/NEWS01/703110332/
1004/NEWS01
I would assume that the teachers have been instructed not to talk to the media about the case. That's standard procedure, and they don't in the article. However, I can read between the lines. Perhaps the most telling quote is below.
"Higdon said it might be a good idea to give teachers a refresher on what is appropriate behavior with students.
"Every year we're trained on universal precautions such as bloody noses and how to avoid the blood," she said. "Perhaps this could be added."
Now, I may not be a teacher, but I don't think anyone needs a "refresher course" to know that having sex with the students is inappropriate. From these comments, I am guessing that her former colleagues believe that Ms. Ward simply wasn't very careful and got herself into a position where she could be accused of sexual misconduct. Perhaps she was "too open" with her students in her communications, which is what got her into trouble. Common sense isn't necessarily common, and honest conversations about certain topics can come across as something completely different if one doesn't know the context. These teachers know Ms. Ward. These teachers know the boys. I'm sure they have a pretty good idea of what happened.
After reading this article, I have think I a pretty good idea of what happened. Ms. Ward wanted to be good teacher, and in trying to be that, and failing to protect herself, she is now under house arrest, accused of being one of the worst female sex predators in recent times.
As for female sex predators, Ms. Ward doesn't even remotely fit the profile of one. These women often have a "boyfriend" who they are "in love" with. These often prey on a younger boy. Others are "party girls" who act as their students peers, not their teachers, somewhat like the teacher in Ware Shoals. These are often younger women who aren't exactly preying on high school boys. There is usually a long history of promiscuity, and/or emotional problems by the woman in all cases. None of the usual patterns of female sex offenders would apply in this case. Either Ms. Ward is a completely new breed of female sex predator, or she is innocent.
The more I read of this previous post the more I felt a sickened feeling in the pit of my stomach. This is most definitely shaping up to be another case of an innocent person being railroaded by a rogue Prosecutor looking to 'score a win.'
This makes it all the more sickening.
What is it with these prosecutors these days? Mike Nifong, Johnny Sutton, Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald who brought charges against an innocent Scooter Libby, etc...all point to a deep, systemic problem that has gripped our criminal justice system in America.
Until this cancer is burned out at the root, nobody is safe from being charged with a crime they did not commit.
Martyn
It's not just the prosecutors in this particular case. It's the boys, and I believe their parents as well.
Here is my theory as to what happened. It's all speculation, but at least somewhat researched.
These "victims" are 14-15 years old. Ms. Ward is a 7th grade teacher. She teaches 12-13 year olds. These boys may have been her former students from last year (this was her second year, not her first as I originally thought) or just current and former students at the school.
According to parents, as reported by Fox Carolina, there was an incident last year where Ms. Ward was warned about something. I'm guessing these boys were engaged in "locker room talk" about the pretty new teacher, which nobody believed. The boys were told to stop it, and Ms. Ward was told to be careful, lest she get accused of wrongdoing.
Now fast forward to this February. The boy who received the inappropriate note is a seventh grader, according to the Laurens 56 website. I remember reading somewhere he is 12, but I can't confirm this. I almost certain he is NOT one of the "victims", and therefore, the note is NOT actually evidence of a crime, as inappropriate as the content may be. My guess is that Ms. Ward failed to heed the earlier warning and failed to properly protect herself. I am guessing she was probably answering questions that should have been handled by a biology teacher or gym coach, not an English teacher.
The principal receives the note as well as other evidence that Ms. Ward was engaged in inappropriate conversations (whatever that means) with other students. She then probably remembers the incident from the previous year, and contacts police.
The police find the boys. The boys are now "vindicated" and make up a wild tale of sexcapades all around this small town, over the past year that nobody seemed to notice. The boys parents remember the incident and are thinking that it may be time to cash in on the "lawsuit lottery", which is why the boys have a lawyer.
The solicitor is trying to make a name for himself in "bad teacher" prosecutions, so he is taking the boys word at face value. Even if Ms. Ward is not indicted or is found "not guilty" he's done his job.
As a shock to just about everyone who knows her, Ms. Ward is arrested as one of the most dangerous female sex predators in US history.
Information is trickled to the media. Interestingly enough, the most shocking items come from the victims family or lawyer, but are not confirmed by law enforcement. A report on Fox Carolina (WHNS) indicated that a family member of the boys said that one of the boys had an incriminating cell phone photo. This was not confirmed by law enforcement, nor was it reported in any other media. Another report on WYFF and WSPA was from the boys lawyer, reporting that Ms. Ward had text messaged them to "keep their mouth shut". This too was not confirmed by law enforcement, nor was it reported by any other media.
If law enforcement has a "smoking gun" in a case like this, such as a cell phone photo or a hotel receipt, they generally report it to the media. So far, very little factual information has come from the solicitor's office.
Her lawyer and family are keeping quiet. I am guessing that they all believe she is innocent, but if he can get a plea deal that keeps her out of jail, he'll advise her to take it. (Unless mandatory minimums are involved, which they aren't in SC, if the sex is consensual with post-pubescent teens, the sentence is relatively light, especially for female offenders with no prior criminal record.) Juries are a crapshoot, and there is enough there that he doesn't feel completely sure of his chances. Shouting your innocence from the rooftops is not a good way to get a deal like this.
A "blackmailed by black males" theory has been bouncing around the internet, but this appears to be a lone poster with a racist agenda posting under different names. I do not know if the boys are black or white, and I don't think it makes much of a difference in this case.
Although this may seem at first to be more credible than what the solicitor's office is saying, it has plenty of holes of its own, the biggest being that nobody noticed the sexcapades, nobody noticed anything wrong with Ms. Ward, which usually happens when someone is coerced into having sex against their will, and the solicitor and local law enforcement are actively engaged in the cover up of a felony on the part of the boys which is certain to be revealed in court. The result would be that she walks and Peace gets disbarred. Jerry Peace may be an ass, but he's not stupid.
Thus, you see felonies being committed by the boys' parents, as well as the boys themselves, in falsely accusing an innocent person of crimes...a person that the parents and the boys KNOW to be innocent.
And then you have a willing accomplace--a prosecutor eagar to score one against wayward teachers to shore up his rating in the eyes of the public.
In that regard, be sure to read my latest post on the 'nifonging of America' which will be published Tuesday here.
Martyn
Of course, this is just a theory. They may have a mountain of evidence against her that they are just not releasing to the public, in which case I would be completely wrong.
Of course, that may be true, in which case all of our eloquent speculating will be a lesson in futility.
However, so far, they have given the public very little reason to believe they have such evidence. In the face of mounting doubt on the part of the public, one would think they would release something--anything--to corroborate the charges.
So far, nothing...which leads me to believe they have nothing.
Martyn
I do not believe you are correct about the ware shoals case.Mrs Blackwell was not arrested simple because of the word of one student.Mrs.blackwell has admitted to a meeting with the cheerleading coach about a personal trip the coach took with students.It also seams not to be in dispute that she had a meeting with the athletic director about this subject.The athletic director has signed a statement saying he told the principal Mrs. Moore was providing alcohol and tobacco to students,as well as inappropriate contact with a male student.When the police asked her if she had any info she chose not to tell the police about these meetings telling them she had no information.This is why she was arrested.After her arrest the police found notes in her office confirming the principal had been investigating the coach,and she chose not to tell the police that either.If you as a principal withhold information on a police investigation you are guilty of obstruction of justice.
Dago,
That may or may not be true. If it is true, it has to be proved in a court of law. But you may be right in the end.
By the way, to keep down the confusion, this particular threat is about the Allenna Williams Ward case in Clinton, SC, and not the Jill Moore-Jane Blackwell case in Ware Shoals. There are plenty of other threads here about that particular case.
But thanks for your contribution to the discussion, Dago.
Martyn
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