Facing a murder charge for killing a man with whom his wife was having an affair, Eric McLean is now on trial in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The story of Eric and Erin McLean, and a former student of Erin, Sean Powell, made international news back in early 2007. Erin had been a student teacher intern at West High School in Knoxville as part of her course of study to become a teacher. It was there that she met and formed a relationship with a 17-year-old student named Sean Powell in the Fall of 2006.
Powell dropped out of school in December of 2006 and moved to Nashville to live with his mother. But Powell and Erin continued having contact through cell phone and text messages. One such message sent by Erin to Sean stated, 'Baby, come home. I love you. I miss you.'
Eric McLean stated that he had become aware of a relationship between Powell and his wife when his son informed him that he has seen the pair walking hand-in-hand in a park in Knoxville.
Early in 2007, Powell drove to the McLean home in Knoxville to see Erin. Eric McLean refused to allow Powell into the house. Powell then spend several nights sleeping in his car in front of the McLean home.
Finally, a confrontation took place when Powell sought entrance into the home once again, this time with Erin urging her husband to allow Powell to come in. It was then that a 911 call was placed to police by Eric, who informed the dispatcher that there was an intruder in his home.
The next 911 call from the McLean residence was placed by Erin who informed the dispatcher that her husband had shot Sean Powell.
Eric McLean left the residence and parked his vehicle at the school where his wife had been a student intern--the place where she met Powell. He then took a firearm and began walking along the railroad tracks outside of Knoxville. It was there he was apprehended by police.
Eric granted an interview with a national TV morning show after his arrest and apologized for killing Powell, stating that it was a big mistake, an 'accident.' He also admitted being angry about the relationship between his wife and her former student, who was significantly younger.
As for Erin McLean, in the aftermath of the shooting she moved to Nashville to stay with relatives. At one point she was hospitalized following a suicide attempt. She was also fired from a job at a school in the area once it was discovered that she had once again attempted to form an inappropriate relationship with a student. The school also claimed it was unaware that Erin was the woman who was at the forefront of a love triangle that ended in murder.
The last news we heard about Erin was that she had fled from her grandparents' home in the dead of night, taking her children with her, and traveling to an unknown destination. Through her attorney she informed reporters that she and her children were safe and that she was staying with friends at an undisclosed location out of state.
In a rather bizarre twist, reporters were informed that Erin McLean was not planning to come to Knoxville to be a part of the trial of Eric McLean, although she is the only known eye-witness.
In a late-breaking development, Eric McLean took the stand in his own defense Tuesday and stated that he had caught his wife and Sean Powell having sex in their home. He further stated that Erin knew that he had seen her and Powell in the act.
Eric also describes at least one incident where both his wife and Powell taunted him about his children, telling Eric that the children would be much better off with Erin and Powell.
For further details concerning the trial of Eric McLean, click HERE to go to WVLT-TV in Knoxville.
Showing posts with label Knoxville Tennessee teacher sex scandal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Knoxville Tennessee teacher sex scandal. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Monday, November 05, 2007
Update on Erin McLean
Erin McLean, the student teacher in Knoxville, TN who had an affair with a former student, which resulted in that student's murder, and who recently disappeared with her two sons, has made contact with her attorney.
McLean states that she is living in another state with friends and that she has enrolled her two children in school.
Meanwhile, a court in Knoxville has granted Erin's estranged husband, Eric, visitation rights with his children. Eric is free on bail for the killing of a 19-year-old student who was involved with his wife.
The court's granting of visitation rights to Eric, however, may be meaningless if they cannot be found, or if they are living so far away that regular visitation is impossible.
Rumor has it that Erin is staying with someone in California...a long, long way from Tennessee.
McLean states that she is living in another state with friends and that she has enrolled her two children in school.
Meanwhile, a court in Knoxville has granted Erin's estranged husband, Eric, visitation rights with his children. Eric is free on bail for the killing of a 19-year-old student who was involved with his wife.
The court's granting of visitation rights to Eric, however, may be meaningless if they cannot be found, or if they are living so far away that regular visitation is impossible.
Rumor has it that Erin is staying with someone in California...a long, long way from Tennessee.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
UPDATE! Trial Date Set for Eric McLean
Knoxville, TN (TLS). Eric McLean, the Knoxville man who shot his wife's teenage lover after the man intruded into the McLean home, will go on trial for the murder of Sean Powell on January 21, 2008.
McLean was released on bond in May.
29-year-old Erin McLean, wife of the accused, was a student teacher intern from the University of Tennessee, serving at West High School in Knoxville. It was there that she met Sean Powell, who had been one of her students.
In December of 2006 Powell dropped out of school and moved to Nashville to live with his formerly estranged mother. While living in Nashville Powell confessed to his mother of his affair with Erin McLean.
A series of text messages between Powell and Erin McLean show that Erin had begged the teenager to return to Knoxville.
Shortly thereafter, Powell traveled to the McLean home in Knoxville, where he had slept in his car for two nights prior to entering the home. The circumstances surrounding Powell's entrance into the McLean home are a bit murky.
Eric McLean placed a 9-1-1 phone call to report an intruder, yet he told the dispatcher that he knew who the intruder was. Later Erin McLean called 9-1-1 to report that her husband had shot Sean Powell outside the home in Powell's car.
Police apprehended Eric McLean some six hours later walking along a railroad track outside of Knoxville and carrying a shotgun. He had parked his car at the school where his wife had met Sean Powell.
Eric told police that he had known about the affair between his wife and Powell, and that even one of the McLean children had told him that their mother had been seen walking hand in hand with Sean Powell in a park.
Upon Eric's arrest and incarceration, Erin McLean moved with the children to Nashville to stay with relatives. Shortly thereafter she was taken to a local hospital for treatment for a suicide attempt.
Eric McLean has admitted to killing Sean Powell, but his attorney maintains it was a crime of passion, the result of Erin McLean's sordid affair with a teenage student--an affair conducted with the full knowledge of the McLean children.
Considered a minimal flight risk, Eric McLean will remain free pending the results of his trial in January of 2008.
McLean was released on bond in May.
29-year-old Erin McLean, wife of the accused, was a student teacher intern from the University of Tennessee, serving at West High School in Knoxville. It was there that she met Sean Powell, who had been one of her students.
In December of 2006 Powell dropped out of school and moved to Nashville to live with his formerly estranged mother. While living in Nashville Powell confessed to his mother of his affair with Erin McLean.
A series of text messages between Powell and Erin McLean show that Erin had begged the teenager to return to Knoxville.
Shortly thereafter, Powell traveled to the McLean home in Knoxville, where he had slept in his car for two nights prior to entering the home. The circumstances surrounding Powell's entrance into the McLean home are a bit murky.
Eric McLean placed a 9-1-1 phone call to report an intruder, yet he told the dispatcher that he knew who the intruder was. Later Erin McLean called 9-1-1 to report that her husband had shot Sean Powell outside the home in Powell's car.
Police apprehended Eric McLean some six hours later walking along a railroad track outside of Knoxville and carrying a shotgun. He had parked his car at the school where his wife had met Sean Powell.
Eric told police that he had known about the affair between his wife and Powell, and that even one of the McLean children had told him that their mother had been seen walking hand in hand with Sean Powell in a park.
Upon Eric's arrest and incarceration, Erin McLean moved with the children to Nashville to stay with relatives. Shortly thereafter she was taken to a local hospital for treatment for a suicide attempt.
Eric McLean has admitted to killing Sean Powell, but his attorney maintains it was a crime of passion, the result of Erin McLean's sordid affair with a teenage student--an affair conducted with the full knowledge of the McLean children.
Considered a minimal flight risk, Eric McLean will remain free pending the results of his trial in January of 2008.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Eric McLean Released on Bond
Knoxville, TN (TLS). Eric McLean, the man who is charged with murder in the shooting of 19-year old Sean Powell, has been released from jail on bond. McLean's bond was set at $150,000 at a court hearing earlier in the month.
McLean's wife, Erin, had been a student teacher from the University of Tennessee, doing a teaching internship at West High School in Knoxville. It was there that she met a student by the name of Sean Powell.
An altercation occurred at the McLean home when Powell reportedly went to see Erin. Eric McLean has stated that he knew of a relationship between his wife and Powell, which was confirmed by his own son when the son informed his Dad that he had seen his Mother walking hand-in-hand with Powell at a nearby park.
Sean Powell's mother also confirms that her son confessed to her concerning the affair.
On the night of the shooting, Eric McLean called 911 to report a break-in. Minutes later Erin Powell called 911 to say that her husband had shot Sean Powell outside their home.
Powell had reportedly slept outside the McLean home for several nights in his auto.
Eric McLean was apprehended by police several hours after the shooting as he walked down a railroad track carrying a gun. He had left his vehicle parked at the school where his wife had taught and met Sean Powell.
According to the terms of his bail, Eric McLean is not allowed to have contact with either his children or his estranged wife, who is living with relatives in Nashville.
McLean's wife, Erin, had been a student teacher from the University of Tennessee, doing a teaching internship at West High School in Knoxville. It was there that she met a student by the name of Sean Powell.
An altercation occurred at the McLean home when Powell reportedly went to see Erin. Eric McLean has stated that he knew of a relationship between his wife and Powell, which was confirmed by his own son when the son informed his Dad that he had seen his Mother walking hand-in-hand with Powell at a nearby park.
Sean Powell's mother also confirms that her son confessed to her concerning the affair.
On the night of the shooting, Eric McLean called 911 to report a break-in. Minutes later Erin Powell called 911 to say that her husband had shot Sean Powell outside their home.
Powell had reportedly slept outside the McLean home for several nights in his auto.
Eric McLean was apprehended by police several hours after the shooting as he walked down a railroad track carrying a gun. He had left his vehicle parked at the school where his wife had taught and met Sean Powell.
According to the terms of his bail, Eric McLean is not allowed to have contact with either his children or his estranged wife, who is living with relatives in Nashville.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Transcripts of 911 Calls in Eric McLean Case
Knoxville, TN (TLS). Eric McLean, the man who is charged with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Sean Powell in a love triangle turned deadly, faced a bond hearing in court on Tuesday.
During the hearing attorneys presented the transcripts of the two 911 calls made from the McLean home on the night of March 10, 2007, the night Sean Powell was shot to death.
The transcripts of those calls can be found by clicking on the link at the end of this article.
The text of the 911 calls shows that Eric McLean was aware of the identity of the intruder when he called police to report a break-in. In addition, apparently Sean Powell had been sleeping outside the McLean home for two nights prior to his death.
Toward the end of the first 911 conversation between Eric McLean and the dispatcher, McLean discloses that it is not exactly a break-in he is reporting but 'trespassing.' He further informed the dispatcher that Powell was leaving the house, and thus, he was cancelling the request for police assistance.
The 2nd 911 call was made minutes later by Erin McLean, who called to report that her husband had shot Sean Powell. She stated that the victim had been one of her students at school. When the dispatcher asked the name of the school, Erin McLean declined to answer.
Eric McLean's bond was set at $150,000.
Read the complete transcripts of both 911 calls here:
http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/6735751.html
During the hearing attorneys presented the transcripts of the two 911 calls made from the McLean home on the night of March 10, 2007, the night Sean Powell was shot to death.
The transcripts of those calls can be found by clicking on the link at the end of this article.
The text of the 911 calls shows that Eric McLean was aware of the identity of the intruder when he called police to report a break-in. In addition, apparently Sean Powell had been sleeping outside the McLean home for two nights prior to his death.
Toward the end of the first 911 conversation between Eric McLean and the dispatcher, McLean discloses that it is not exactly a break-in he is reporting but 'trespassing.' He further informed the dispatcher that Powell was leaving the house, and thus, he was cancelling the request for police assistance.
The 2nd 911 call was made minutes later by Erin McLean, who called to report that her husband had shot Sean Powell. She stated that the victim had been one of her students at school. When the dispatcher asked the name of the school, Erin McLean declined to answer.
Eric McLean's bond was set at $150,000.
Read the complete transcripts of both 911 calls here:
http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/6735751.html
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
News! Eric McLean Has Day in Court
Knoxville, TN (TLS). Eric McLean, the Knoxville man charged in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old high school student who had an affair with McLean's wife, has appeared in court today for a bond hearing.
During today's hearing the Court listened to two 911 tapes containing the phone calls made from the McLean home on the night of March 10, 2007, the night that 19-year-old Sean Powell was shot to death.
The first call was placed by Eric McLean, stating that an intruder had entered the McLean home. The second call was placed by Erin McLean some 17 minutes later stating that her husband had shot Sean Powell outside the home.
Bruce Poston, the attorney representing Eric McLean, had requested this bond hearing during his client's first court appearance shortly after his arrest. Prior to the hearing, Poston stated that he did not expect his client to remain in jail for the duration of the investigations and trial but fully expects McLean to be released on bond.
Poston also filed papers concerning the custody of McLean's two sons, who are now staying with their mother in Nashville. Poston maintains that his client fears for the safety of the children, given that Erin McLean allegedly severely punished her oldest son for telling his father that he had seen his mother walking hand-in-hand with Sean Powell in a public park.
The Liberty Sphere will provide updated information as it becomes available.
During today's hearing the Court listened to two 911 tapes containing the phone calls made from the McLean home on the night of March 10, 2007, the night that 19-year-old Sean Powell was shot to death.
The first call was placed by Eric McLean, stating that an intruder had entered the McLean home. The second call was placed by Erin McLean some 17 minutes later stating that her husband had shot Sean Powell outside the home.
Bruce Poston, the attorney representing Eric McLean, had requested this bond hearing during his client's first court appearance shortly after his arrest. Prior to the hearing, Poston stated that he did not expect his client to remain in jail for the duration of the investigations and trial but fully expects McLean to be released on bond.
Poston also filed papers concerning the custody of McLean's two sons, who are now staying with their mother in Nashville. Poston maintains that his client fears for the safety of the children, given that Erin McLean allegedly severely punished her oldest son for telling his father that he had seen his mother walking hand-in-hand with Sean Powell in a public park.
The Liberty Sphere will provide updated information as it becomes available.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Son Informed Dad of Erin McLean's Affair
Knoxville, TN (TLS). Eric McLean, who is in jail on the charge of murdering his wife's lover, states that he learned of the affair between Erin McLean and Sean Powell through his 11-year-old son.
Eric McLean granted an interview with NBC Today's Matt Lauer Friday morning.
McLean expressed deep remorse for the killing of Sean Powell, which he says was an accident. The killing took place on the night of March 10, 2007 after Eric had initially dialed 911 to report an intruder in the McLean home. Eric's wife Erin later called 911 to report that her husband had shot Sean Powell outside their home.
In the aftermath of these tragic events Erin McLean moved to Nashville, where she is staying with relatives along with her two children. She made a suicide attempt just five days later on March 15. Police records indicate that Erin was transported to a local medical center after taking an overdose of pills, and that she was discharged from the facility a few days later.
Eric McLean, on the other hand, is in jail after being charged with the murder of Sean Powell. His interview with Matt Lauer on Friday provides more insight into the scenario that led to the tragic events of March 10.
McLean states that he was in denial about his wife's involvement with one of her students. He had confronted her in December about the affair--an accusation that Erin McLean fiercely denied. Eric also confronted Sean Powell at the time, to which Powell also denied any involvement with Erin McLean.
However, the McLeans' 11-year-old son reported to his Dad that his Mother had been seen walking hand-in-hand with Sean Powell in a park. When confronted by the information provided by their son, Erin once again denied any involvement and, according to Eric, severely punished her son later for 'squealing on her to his Dad.'
At that point, according to Eric, he became fearful for the safety of his children.
A local newspaper in the area, the Knoxville News Sentinel, has the complete story on Eric McLean's interview with Matt Lauer. Read all about it here:
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_5434233,00.html
Eric McLean granted an interview with NBC Today's Matt Lauer Friday morning.
McLean expressed deep remorse for the killing of Sean Powell, which he says was an accident. The killing took place on the night of March 10, 2007 after Eric had initially dialed 911 to report an intruder in the McLean home. Eric's wife Erin later called 911 to report that her husband had shot Sean Powell outside their home.
In the aftermath of these tragic events Erin McLean moved to Nashville, where she is staying with relatives along with her two children. She made a suicide attempt just five days later on March 15. Police records indicate that Erin was transported to a local medical center after taking an overdose of pills, and that she was discharged from the facility a few days later.
Eric McLean, on the other hand, is in jail after being charged with the murder of Sean Powell. His interview with Matt Lauer on Friday provides more insight into the scenario that led to the tragic events of March 10.
McLean states that he was in denial about his wife's involvement with one of her students. He had confronted her in December about the affair--an accusation that Erin McLean fiercely denied. Eric also confronted Sean Powell at the time, to which Powell also denied any involvement with Erin McLean.
However, the McLeans' 11-year-old son reported to his Dad that his Mother had been seen walking hand-in-hand with Sean Powell in a park. When confronted by the information provided by their son, Erin once again denied any involvement and, according to Eric, severely punished her son later for 'squealing on her to his Dad.'
At that point, according to Eric, he became fearful for the safety of his children.
A local newspaper in the area, the Knoxville News Sentinel, has the complete story on Eric McLean's interview with Matt Lauer. Read all about it here:
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_5434233,00.html
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
ALERT! Erin McLean Attempts Suicide
Nashville, TN (TLS). Erin McLean, the 30-year-old married mother of two whose affair with an 18-year-old high school student that ended in the student's murder at the hands of McLean's husband, has attempted suicide.
According to emergency 911 records in Nashville, a call was placed to 911 on the evening of March 15, summoning paramedics to the home of relatives where Erin and her children were staying after the murder in Knoxville.
Relatives state that apparently Erin attempted suicide by taking an overdose. The incident occurred a mere five days after Erin's husband fatally shot 18-year-old Sean Powell, with whom Erin was having an affair.
Erin McLean had met Powell while doing a teaching internship at West High School in Knoxville as part of a graduate program in education at the University of Tennessee.
On Monday of this week, March 19, officials at the University of Tennessee stated that Erin McLean had been placed on indefinite leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation into violations of university policy.
It is unclear as to whether or not Erin McLean was admitted to a medical facility following the suicide attempt. Relatives declined to provide further information, and medical facilities are under strict confidentiality guidelines with regard to patients.
According to emergency 911 records in Nashville, a call was placed to 911 on the evening of March 15, summoning paramedics to the home of relatives where Erin and her children were staying after the murder in Knoxville.
Relatives state that apparently Erin attempted suicide by taking an overdose. The incident occurred a mere five days after Erin's husband fatally shot 18-year-old Sean Powell, with whom Erin was having an affair.
Erin McLean had met Powell while doing a teaching internship at West High School in Knoxville as part of a graduate program in education at the University of Tennessee.
On Monday of this week, March 19, officials at the University of Tennessee stated that Erin McLean had been placed on indefinite leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation into violations of university policy.
It is unclear as to whether or not Erin McLean was admitted to a medical facility following the suicide attempt. Relatives declined to provide further information, and medical facilities are under strict confidentiality guidelines with regard to patients.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Teacher Sex Scandal Ends in Murder
Knoxville, TN (TLS). The city of Knoxville, Tennessee, tucked neatly beside the Tennessee River in the beautiful Smokey Mountains, is normally a quiet southern city that has a crime rate that should make it the envy of the world.
Knox County is home to deeply religious mountain folk who love their churches, their guns, and their bluegrass music. One would think that such a setting would produce more than its share of violent crime, particularly that which involves guns.
One would be quite wrong in making that assumption.
Gun violence is rare here, although the vast majority of the population owns them. Character, honor, and Christian values permeate the culture here, keeping a valuable check on any innate human tendency to engage in destructive behavior.
Every now and then, however, violence does shake the foundation of this mountain paradise. Knox County is known for ending the year with only one murder for the record books--for the entire year. Thus, when those rare murders creep into the community, you can be sure it becomes the talk of the town.
This murder, however, has all the trappings of a Hollywood tabloid scandal.
This story involves a young married school teacher, her husband, and an 18-year-old high school student. Quiet rumors of an affair made their rounds in this close-knit southern city, except in this case the nature of the affair was enough to send shock-waves racing through town like a live-wire in a bathtub.
This affair involved the ultimate taboo in a town that loves Jesus and its Gospel Music. The teacher allegedly was involved with one of her students.
30-year-old Erin McLean was in her final semester at the University of Tennessee, studying for a graduate degree in education. She met 18-year-old Sean Powell in the Fall of 2006 while doing a teaching internship at West High School in Knoxville. Powell dropped out of school in November of 2006 for unknown reasons, and moved to Nashville where he stayed with his formerly estranged mother, Debra Flynn.
It was at this time that a text message allegedly appeared--from Erin McLean to Sean Powell, stating, 'Come home, baby. I love you. You are beautiful.'
Flynn stated that her son admitted to the affair.
Apparently, the plea of the text message on that cell phone worked. On the evening of March 10, 2007, Erin McLean's husband, Eric, dialed 911 to report an intruder in their home. Seven minutes later Erin called 911 herself, stating that her husband had just shot Sean Powell outside--in the car that Powell was driving.
At this point Eric McLean fled the scene in his car, later leaving the vehicle at the high school where his wife taught. Police later found McLean 6 miles away walking along a railroad track, allegedly still carrying the shotgun he used to kill Sean Powell.
Eric McLean's attorney acknowledges that his client killed Powell, and thus, his defense at the trial will focus on WHY Eric shot Sean Powell to death.
Did he catch his wife and her 18-year-old lover in the act? Or did Sean Powell come to the home to see Erin and confront her husband--a meeting that resulted in a deadly argument?
These questions will be answered at the trial.
Sources close to the investigation state that Eric McLean had been aware of the affair between his wife and Powell, and that in a moment of rage he snapped.
As for Erin McLean, she moved to Nashville to stay with relatives along with her children. She has also hired her own attorney, although police have not charged her with any criminal wrongdoing. At the time the affair began, Powell was well-beyond the age of consent in the state of Tennessee.
Needless to say, this trial will focus on the biggest scandal these mountains have seen in many a year. Apart from the rarity of this sort of thing in these parts, this case will raise several tragic issues--the growing phenomenon of teacher-student sexual liaisons, the lack of clearly-stated guidelines that are strictly enforced by school systems regarding the professional wall that exists between educators and students, and the internal psychological dynamics of a spouse that is so thoroughly enraged by the fact that his wife was having an affair with a student that he loses control and kills her lover.
Thus, this trial will be of great national significance.
Knox County is home to deeply religious mountain folk who love their churches, their guns, and their bluegrass music. One would think that such a setting would produce more than its share of violent crime, particularly that which involves guns.
One would be quite wrong in making that assumption.
Gun violence is rare here, although the vast majority of the population owns them. Character, honor, and Christian values permeate the culture here, keeping a valuable check on any innate human tendency to engage in destructive behavior.
Every now and then, however, violence does shake the foundation of this mountain paradise. Knox County is known for ending the year with only one murder for the record books--for the entire year. Thus, when those rare murders creep into the community, you can be sure it becomes the talk of the town.
This murder, however, has all the trappings of a Hollywood tabloid scandal.
This story involves a young married school teacher, her husband, and an 18-year-old high school student. Quiet rumors of an affair made their rounds in this close-knit southern city, except in this case the nature of the affair was enough to send shock-waves racing through town like a live-wire in a bathtub.
This affair involved the ultimate taboo in a town that loves Jesus and its Gospel Music. The teacher allegedly was involved with one of her students.
30-year-old Erin McLean was in her final semester at the University of Tennessee, studying for a graduate degree in education. She met 18-year-old Sean Powell in the Fall of 2006 while doing a teaching internship at West High School in Knoxville. Powell dropped out of school in November of 2006 for unknown reasons, and moved to Nashville where he stayed with his formerly estranged mother, Debra Flynn.
It was at this time that a text message allegedly appeared--from Erin McLean to Sean Powell, stating, 'Come home, baby. I love you. You are beautiful.'
Flynn stated that her son admitted to the affair.
Apparently, the plea of the text message on that cell phone worked. On the evening of March 10, 2007, Erin McLean's husband, Eric, dialed 911 to report an intruder in their home. Seven minutes later Erin called 911 herself, stating that her husband had just shot Sean Powell outside--in the car that Powell was driving.
At this point Eric McLean fled the scene in his car, later leaving the vehicle at the high school where his wife taught. Police later found McLean 6 miles away walking along a railroad track, allegedly still carrying the shotgun he used to kill Sean Powell.
Eric McLean's attorney acknowledges that his client killed Powell, and thus, his defense at the trial will focus on WHY Eric shot Sean Powell to death.
Did he catch his wife and her 18-year-old lover in the act? Or did Sean Powell come to the home to see Erin and confront her husband--a meeting that resulted in a deadly argument?
These questions will be answered at the trial.
Sources close to the investigation state that Eric McLean had been aware of the affair between his wife and Powell, and that in a moment of rage he snapped.
As for Erin McLean, she moved to Nashville to stay with relatives along with her children. She has also hired her own attorney, although police have not charged her with any criminal wrongdoing. At the time the affair began, Powell was well-beyond the age of consent in the state of Tennessee.
Needless to say, this trial will focus on the biggest scandal these mountains have seen in many a year. Apart from the rarity of this sort of thing in these parts, this case will raise several tragic issues--the growing phenomenon of teacher-student sexual liaisons, the lack of clearly-stated guidelines that are strictly enforced by school systems regarding the professional wall that exists between educators and students, and the internal psychological dynamics of a spouse that is so thoroughly enraged by the fact that his wife was having an affair with a student that he loses control and kills her lover.
Thus, this trial will be of great national significance.
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