A Laurens County, South Carolina courtroom was the setting today for one of the biggest shockers of the year regarding sex scandals between school teachers and their students.
Much to the shock and amazement of local residents and observers, Allenna Williams Ward, the 24-year-old middle school teacher accused of having sex with five black teenage boys, accepted a plea bargain and plead guilty to five charges of sexual misconduct.
Ward waived her right to a jury trial and broke into sobs as she admitted to the charges and apologized for the pain she had caused the students and their families, and the community.
In exchange for Ward's pleading guilty to five counts of sexual misconduct, the local Circuit Solicitor dropped the rest of the charges against Ward, which could have potentially sent her to prison for the rest of her life.
Surrounded by her parents and her husband in the courtroom, Ward asked for the forgiveness of the community.
Ward's sentence now rests entirely in the hands of the local judge, who will reportedly make his decision within 90 days.
The Ward case provides an intriguing twist in attempts to profile typical perpetrators of sexual misconduct between teachers and students. Ward never fit the profile. In fact, the story told by the teenagers involved in the case is so bizarre that few in or outside the community believed that such a thing could be true.
The teenagers had accused Ward of meeting them at various places around Clinton, South Carolina for their sexual activity, including behind a restaurant, in a motel room, in a city park, in a vehicle, as well as in the Bell Street Middle School, where Ward taught 7th grade Language Arts.
While few believed the stories, in this case the perpetrator herself says they are true. The damage done to the five teenagers should not go unpunished.
Ward would be an interesting case study in forensic psychology as the question is posed, how could a seemingly clean-cut girl from a minister's family, with no prior history indicating her behavior, wind up in this position where she faces potential jail time for engaging in sexual misconduct with five teenagers?
As far as we are concerned, that is the million-dollar question.
Showing posts with label Laurens County School District 56. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laurens County School District 56. Show all posts
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Saturday, March 03, 2007
S.C. School District Updates Info on Sex Scandal
Washington, DC (TLS). Laurens County School District 56 has updated its website with the latest information on the sex scandal involving a Bell Street Middle School teacher and male students between the ages of 14 and 15.
As reported on The Liberty Sphere late Friday, Allena Williams Ward, the 23-year-old married teacher accused of alleged criminal sexual activity with minors, was released from jail Friday afternoon after posting bail. Ward left the detention facility accompanied by her husband and other family members who are avidly expressing support for the accused teacher.
Parents of young teens in the school district, however, are not so happy about Ward's release. These parents have also expressed their ire at school district officials who refused to answer any questions related to the case in a special meeting with parents on Thursday evening.
However, the school district has provided updated information on its website. Documents related to the case and the school district's response are available on pdf files. These files can be accessed by going to the district website at:
http://www.laurens56.k12.sc.us/
As always, The Liberty Sphere will provide updates as they become available.
As reported on The Liberty Sphere late Friday, Allena Williams Ward, the 23-year-old married teacher accused of alleged criminal sexual activity with minors, was released from jail Friday afternoon after posting bail. Ward left the detention facility accompanied by her husband and other family members who are avidly expressing support for the accused teacher.
Parents of young teens in the school district, however, are not so happy about Ward's release. These parents have also expressed their ire at school district officials who refused to answer any questions related to the case in a special meeting with parents on Thursday evening.
However, the school district has provided updated information on its website. Documents related to the case and the school district's response are available on pdf files. These files can be accessed by going to the district website at:
http://www.laurens56.k12.sc.us/
As always, The Liberty Sphere will provide updates as they become available.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Teacher in S.C. Sex Scandal Released on Bond
Washington, DC (TLS). Allena Williams Ward, the 23-year-old married teacher charged in a sex scandal involving 14-15 year-old boys has been released from jail on bond.
Ward was released late this afternoon and was accompanied by her husband and other family members, who are reportedly giving the accused teacher their full support. An electronic tracking device issued by the Laurens County Sheriff's Department will monitor Ward's movements. She is allowed to travel only to church, to her attorney's office, to the court, and to her doctor.
Law enforcement officials stated that if Ward violates the terms of this 'house arrest,' officers will be immediately notified via email or cell phone.
Parents of students in Laurens County School District 56 are none too pleased that Ward was released from jail today, claiming that she is a threat to their children. The local District Attorney, which in South Carolina is referred to as the 'Circuit Solicitor,' had sought to prevent Ward's release and/or to make her bail much higher. Parents are outraged that Ward's bail was set so low. Her release today occurred only two days after her arrest.
The Circuit Solicitor in the case has referred to Ward as a threat to the public given the predatory nature of her alleged sex crimes. If this allegation is proved in court, there is much more here than what meets the eye. A case can be made that predatory sex acts committed against under-age persons is a hideous disease that is deserving of psychiatric evaluation and treatment, in addition to whatever punishment the court deems necessary.
Yet, as always, it cannot be overly stressed that so far the charges against Ward are allegations. Her first court date is set for roughly one month from today. Only a court of law can determine guilt or innocence. So far, nothing has been proved and no verdict has been issued.
The Liberty Sphere is committed to reminding communities and victims in cases such as this to remember that in America the accused must not be found guilty in the court of public opinion before any evidence has been submitted to a court of law. There will be plenty enough time for all the evidence to be presented in court and for a jury to deliberate as to its authenticity.
The citizens of Clinton, South Carolina must allow the attorneys, the court, and the jury to carefully consider the facts in the case before any judgment is to be rendered. At present, Mrs. Ward is accused of ALLEGED crimes, and she must be presumed innocent until a jury finds her guilty.
Ward was released late this afternoon and was accompanied by her husband and other family members, who are reportedly giving the accused teacher their full support. An electronic tracking device issued by the Laurens County Sheriff's Department will monitor Ward's movements. She is allowed to travel only to church, to her attorney's office, to the court, and to her doctor.
Law enforcement officials stated that if Ward violates the terms of this 'house arrest,' officers will be immediately notified via email or cell phone.
Parents of students in Laurens County School District 56 are none too pleased that Ward was released from jail today, claiming that she is a threat to their children. The local District Attorney, which in South Carolina is referred to as the 'Circuit Solicitor,' had sought to prevent Ward's release and/or to make her bail much higher. Parents are outraged that Ward's bail was set so low. Her release today occurred only two days after her arrest.
The Circuit Solicitor in the case has referred to Ward as a threat to the public given the predatory nature of her alleged sex crimes. If this allegation is proved in court, there is much more here than what meets the eye. A case can be made that predatory sex acts committed against under-age persons is a hideous disease that is deserving of psychiatric evaluation and treatment, in addition to whatever punishment the court deems necessary.
Yet, as always, it cannot be overly stressed that so far the charges against Ward are allegations. Her first court date is set for roughly one month from today. Only a court of law can determine guilt or innocence. So far, nothing has been proved and no verdict has been issued.
The Liberty Sphere is committed to reminding communities and victims in cases such as this to remember that in America the accused must not be found guilty in the court of public opinion before any evidence has been submitted to a court of law. There will be plenty enough time for all the evidence to be presented in court and for a jury to deliberate as to its authenticity.
The citizens of Clinton, South Carolina must allow the attorneys, the court, and the jury to carefully consider the facts in the case before any judgment is to be rendered. At present, Mrs. Ward is accused of ALLEGED crimes, and she must be presumed innocent until a jury finds her guilty.
UPDATE ON SEX SPREE BY FEMALE TEACHER
Washington, DC (TLS). The Liberty Sphere learned late Thursday evening that outrage erupted at a South Carolina middle school over the arrest of a female teacher who is charged with having sex with 14 and 15 year old boys.
23-year-old Allena Williams Ward was arrested on Wednesday of this week on 5 counts of criminal sexual misconduct with a minor and 6 counts of lewd acts on a minor.
Ward taught at Bell Street Middle School in Clinton, South Carolina, a small town of roughly 10,000 located 65 miles north of the state capital of Columbia.
Bell Street Middle School is part of Laurens County School District 56. The school board held a meeting on Thursday evening with concerned parents. However, many of the parents who attended the meeting emerged with more questions, and more outrage, than when they entered.
According to parents who spoke to the media after the school board meeting, parents were not allowed to ask any questions. The school board took the entirety of the meeting to explain the details of the alleged incidents involving Mrs. Ward and the steps the board is taking to provide assistance to students and families in the aftermath of the scandal.
However, some parents claim that it was simply not enough.
School board officials stated that their objective for the meeting was to convey information and details in as straightforward a manner as possible, and that teachers and administrators are grieving along with parents.
District 56 officials have posted complete information concerning the scandal on its official website. The District maintains that it intends to be as open about the case as the law allows, given that charges have been brought against one of its teachers and that the case is now under the jurisdiction of the court.
From what we can tell, Laurens County School District 56 is taking prudent steps. In cases such as this certain details cannot be disclosed due to legal considerations. In addition, we must again remember that the charges are of alleged actions. No one as yet has been convicted in a court of law for doing anything illegal. Mrs. Ward must have her hearing in court, and the court is the only proper place for all details to be disclosed--details that will either convict or exonerate the defendant.
It bears repeating here once again that in the United States legal system, a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Only the court can determine guilt in this case. Ward must not be tried in the court of public opinion, no matter how hideous the charges are against her.
To view the press releases of the Clinton law enforcement division, the Laurens County School District 56, as well as the plan of services the District will offer to students, parents, and staff effected by this incident, click here to go directly to the District 56 website:
http://www.laurens56.k12.sc.us/
23-year-old Allena Williams Ward was arrested on Wednesday of this week on 5 counts of criminal sexual misconduct with a minor and 6 counts of lewd acts on a minor.
Ward taught at Bell Street Middle School in Clinton, South Carolina, a small town of roughly 10,000 located 65 miles north of the state capital of Columbia.
Bell Street Middle School is part of Laurens County School District 56. The school board held a meeting on Thursday evening with concerned parents. However, many of the parents who attended the meeting emerged with more questions, and more outrage, than when they entered.
According to parents who spoke to the media after the school board meeting, parents were not allowed to ask any questions. The school board took the entirety of the meeting to explain the details of the alleged incidents involving Mrs. Ward and the steps the board is taking to provide assistance to students and families in the aftermath of the scandal.
However, some parents claim that it was simply not enough.
School board officials stated that their objective for the meeting was to convey information and details in as straightforward a manner as possible, and that teachers and administrators are grieving along with parents.
District 56 officials have posted complete information concerning the scandal on its official website. The District maintains that it intends to be as open about the case as the law allows, given that charges have been brought against one of its teachers and that the case is now under the jurisdiction of the court.
From what we can tell, Laurens County School District 56 is taking prudent steps. In cases such as this certain details cannot be disclosed due to legal considerations. In addition, we must again remember that the charges are of alleged actions. No one as yet has been convicted in a court of law for doing anything illegal. Mrs. Ward must have her hearing in court, and the court is the only proper place for all details to be disclosed--details that will either convict or exonerate the defendant.
It bears repeating here once again that in the United States legal system, a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Only the court can determine guilt in this case. Ward must not be tried in the court of public opinion, no matter how hideous the charges are against her.
To view the press releases of the Clinton law enforcement division, the Laurens County School District 56, as well as the plan of services the District will offer to students, parents, and staff effected by this incident, click here to go directly to the District 56 website:
http://www.laurens56.k12.sc.us/
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