May 10, 2002 The trial of Susan Lemery, a Marysville, CA, teacher accused of molesting two teenage boys in Everett, Washington is delayed.
These items are worth reading:
June 19, 2001 "Teachers arrest confuses students" According to the article, students are surprised at the wonderful teacher's arrest. Not too surprising considering the media support for the teacher.
Parents, as well as fellow teachers at Oliva Park, support her in overwhelming numbers, according to school staff.And, amazingly
Last Friday the teachers sent a care package to the Lemereys that contained food, cards from adults and children and artwork from her second grade students.The reporter talked to a fourth grader who reported that everyone she talked to "sees only good in Susan." (A fourth grader is what, nine years old? What is a reporter doing interviewing a nine-year old?) The principal, however, didn't mind talking about it to a whole class of second graders. The principal, Karen Skaare, reports calls to her office running 10-1 in the teacher's favor. She visited the class to talk to the students about the case, asking them how it feels when they get accused on the playground of doing something they perhaps didn't do. She might have a hard time explaining when Lemery either pleads guilty or is found guilty. After taking it public to second graders, the principal forbid students to talk about it on the playground and are referred to their parents if they have questions.
June 24, 2001 Susan Lemery was accused of violating the terms of her bail for contacting witnesses.
July 27, 2001 New state law makes sex between teachers, teens a crime. "The Office of Professional Practices closed 23 cases last year involving allegations of sexual misconduct, according to an agency report." Eleven were dismissed (in seven cases because the employee's certificate had expired; seven voluntarily surrendered their certificates; three employees had their certificates revoked; two cases ended in reprimands.
December 5 Lemery faces additional charges based on investigation.
Jul 22, 2002 - FROM GOOGLE CACHE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER by M.I. Lyke. Lemery was sentenced to five years.On June 21, a jury convicted the 38-year-old Marysville woman on three counts of third-degree child rape, and two counts of third-degree child molestation.
Teacher convicted of rape and molestation: Jury finds Susan Lemery guilty on 5 of 6 counts involving teenage boys
The jurors deadlocked 11-1 on a molestation charge that involved a second 14-year-old boy.
Each of the five counts carries a state-mandated sentence of 60 months. The sentences will run concurrently.
As his wife was being led away from the courtroom yesterday, her chains clinking above the heeled pumps, Dan Lemery gave a brief statement.She served three years.
The family still supports her, he said. "We're behind her 100 percent."
