Crystal
11-26-2007, 04:13 PM
Culver admits he abused his students
Shen teacher pleads guilty to all 49 charges
Last updated: 12:24 p.m., Monday, November 26, 2007
BALLSTON SPA -- Clifton Park elementary school teacher Christopher Culver admitted in court this morning that he molested eight of his first-grade students, pleading guilty to all charges against him as his trial was about to get under way in Saratoga County Court.
Culver sobbed and shook throughout his morning court appearance, at points forcing Judge Jerry Scarano to slow the proceedings to allow the 33-year-old defendant to compose himself.
Culver faces 12 years in prison when he is sentenced in January.
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Jensen told the Times Union that State Police late last week investigated a credible tip that Culver was making plans to flee the United States for Colombia rather than face trial. Colombia has no extradition treaty with the U.S.
Prosecutors asked for a court order last week to seize Culver's passport, license, birth certificate, and social security card. They notified airports, the FBI, Interpol and other law enforcement agencies about the possibility Culver would try to flee, prosecutors said.
Culver's guilty plea happened as jury selection was set to begin in his trial. The plea spares eight of his Okte Elementary School students from having to describe the abuse in trial testimony.
A 49-count indictment accuses Culver of touching the genitals of eight boys during the school day in his classroom.
"A defendant is not entitled to a plea bargain. In this case the crime of sexually abusing children is so egregious that we insisted on a plea of guilty to all the crimes for every child," District Attorney James Murphy said.
He was arrested in February after a student at the elementary School in the Shenendehowa district said something alarming to his parents about his teacher's conduct. The parents called police, and Culver was arrested. Afterward, seven more students have come forward alleging abuse.
Had he gone to trial, Culver faced the likelihood jurors would hear incriminating remarks he made to police. State Police investigators testified at a hearing this summer that Culver admitted to touching six boys, that he needed psychological help and said that his career was finished. A judge ruled that those statements may be used at trial.
Culver's attorney, Terence L. Kindlon, planned to challenge the written statement's credibility because there is no audio or videotape of it.
When the allegations came to light earlier this year, hundreds of parents of students at Okte attended an emergency meeting organized by the district. There, Superintendent L. Oliver Robinson said he and other administrators were shocked by the allegations, and that children and faculty members would have access to counselors.
Culver was still on paid leave when he went to court Monday morning. His conviction is likely to cause his termination.
The parents of two students have filed lawsuits against Culver and the school district. Those civil cases are still pending.
What in the fucking world is this man doing on a PAID leave??????? That is ridiculous!!!!!
Shen teacher pleads guilty to all 49 charges
Last updated: 12:24 p.m., Monday, November 26, 2007
BALLSTON SPA -- Clifton Park elementary school teacher Christopher Culver admitted in court this morning that he molested eight of his first-grade students, pleading guilty to all charges against him as his trial was about to get under way in Saratoga County Court.
Culver sobbed and shook throughout his morning court appearance, at points forcing Judge Jerry Scarano to slow the proceedings to allow the 33-year-old defendant to compose himself.
Culver faces 12 years in prison when he is sentenced in January.
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Jensen told the Times Union that State Police late last week investigated a credible tip that Culver was making plans to flee the United States for Colombia rather than face trial. Colombia has no extradition treaty with the U.S.
Prosecutors asked for a court order last week to seize Culver's passport, license, birth certificate, and social security card. They notified airports, the FBI, Interpol and other law enforcement agencies about the possibility Culver would try to flee, prosecutors said.
Culver's guilty plea happened as jury selection was set to begin in his trial. The plea spares eight of his Okte Elementary School students from having to describe the abuse in trial testimony.
A 49-count indictment accuses Culver of touching the genitals of eight boys during the school day in his classroom.
"A defendant is not entitled to a plea bargain. In this case the crime of sexually abusing children is so egregious that we insisted on a plea of guilty to all the crimes for every child," District Attorney James Murphy said.
He was arrested in February after a student at the elementary School in the Shenendehowa district said something alarming to his parents about his teacher's conduct. The parents called police, and Culver was arrested. Afterward, seven more students have come forward alleging abuse.
Had he gone to trial, Culver faced the likelihood jurors would hear incriminating remarks he made to police. State Police investigators testified at a hearing this summer that Culver admitted to touching six boys, that he needed psychological help and said that his career was finished. A judge ruled that those statements may be used at trial.
Culver's attorney, Terence L. Kindlon, planned to challenge the written statement's credibility because there is no audio or videotape of it.
When the allegations came to light earlier this year, hundreds of parents of students at Okte attended an emergency meeting organized by the district. There, Superintendent L. Oliver Robinson said he and other administrators were shocked by the allegations, and that children and faculty members would have access to counselors.
Culver was still on paid leave when he went to court Monday morning. His conviction is likely to cause his termination.
The parents of two students have filed lawsuits against Culver and the school district. Those civil cases are still pending.
What in the fucking world is this man doing on a PAID leave??????? That is ridiculous!!!!!