GA - *ACQUITTED* Tonya Craft, teacher, faced 22 false counts of child molestation

[Belinda]

I don't have a really clear feel for whether this woman is guilty or not. However, I do believe that a 5-year old can be coached, if a parent had that type of intent. I also think the authorities are smart enough to figure it out, if that is the case.

 

[kbl8201]

i dont know belinda. if the kids testify that 'she hurt me cause daddy says she did' and the judge and da have no problem with it, apprentley they either arent smart enough to figure it out, or they are plain corrupt.

 

[Belinda]

i dont know belinda. if the kids testify that 'she hurt me cause daddy says she did' and the judge and da have no problem with it, apprentley they either arent smart enough to figure it out, or they are plain corrupt.

BBM. Do we know if this statement is a fact? If so, it is certainly a huge, huge problem. I am just wondering because it is so pointed that I can't see how a judge or the DA could ignore it.

 

[tlcya]

prayers that this is resolved rightly and justly

 

[kbl8201]

if they are corrupt then they'd have to ignore it.

 

[kemo]

This case smells a bit like the "Satanic Panic" mass hysteria of 20 years ago where many innocent people were falsely convicted. Still, I will with-hold judgement until I have all the facts.

I have been trying to find out more on this but it has not "gone national" so local reporting is the primary source and they may tend to "go easy" on the local DA's office. The best sourse I have found is Wm. Anderson of the Cato Institute. (http://williamlanderson.blogspot.com/2010/05/tonya-craft-looking-at-evidence.html). While I do not generally agree with the Cato political line, I have found them (and Libertarians in general) to be objective straight shotters who tell the truth.

 

[joeskidbeck]

Catoosa County Georgia and Hamilton County Tennessee are "sisters" as it were. I mean they are literally next door neighbors. In today's proceedings, judge House declared that a Hamilton Co. judge's ruling is "hearsay".......
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/...judge-refuses-allow-another-judges-rul/?local

Somehow, I cant see this judge from Tennessee taking this very well. If a judges ruling cannot be admitted as evidence, what in the world can????? It is not only the prosecutors that are being totally ridiculous in this trial, it is also the judge. The really sad part in all of this is that if Ms. Craft were really guilty, they are making such a farce of this trial that she will easily get an appeal.

If you are from a town as small as the ones in question here, you already know how the "cliques" run everything. If you're not, there's no way to explain it, except: It's not who you are, It's who you know (and how well you know them)!

 

[kbl8201]

this is ridiculous.

i guess the silver lining if there's a conviction is there's no way possible this nonsense would hold up on appeal.

 

[pinkorchid]

A lot of reporters are twittering from the courtroom. You can google and get each day's play by play.

 

[Belinda]

I guess the part that is confusing me is that I don't understand what the judge has to gain by this. The DA always wants to win their case, so I clearly see their motive. But, I don't understand the behavior of the judge. Unless he is in cahoots with the DA. This whole case is very strange.

 

[joeskidbeck]

I guess the part that is confusing me is that I don't understand what the judge has to gain by this. The DA always wants to win their case, so I clearly see their motive. But, I don't understand the behavior of the judge. Unless he is in cahoots with the DA. This whole case is very strange.

Belinda, when Tonya divorced Joel Henke (her kids dad), House (the judge) was his lawyer. Tonya not only got custody of her children, but everything else she had requested. House, like Henke and the accusing children's parents all have grudges to bear. I, for one, cannot understand how House got away with not recusing himself from this case in the beginnng. :furious:

 

[tlcya]

Belinda, when Tonya divorced Joel Henke (her kids dad), House (the judge) was his lawyer. Tonya not only got custody of her children, but everything else she had requested. House, like Henke and the accusing children's parents all have grudges to bear. I, for one, cannot understand how House got away with not recusing himself from this case in the beginnng. :furious:

AMEN and Halelu beck!

 

[Belinda]

Well, it looks like she will have many, many trial errors to support an appeal for a new trial. However, it shouldn't have to go that far. There are some obviously hinky things going on here. I find it interesting that the judge is apparently not concerned that his reputation is being put squarely on the line here. I don't believe for one minute that he doesn't know what is being reported on this case. How can he not see how this is going to look on appeal? I, personally, think he is going to look like a complete fool and the appeal judge will most likely be scathing in his/her opinion.

 

[kbl8201]

belinda those in power have no fear of losing it.

 

[joeskidbeck]

belinda those in power have no fear of losing it.

You are sooo right,kbl, especially when you are a really big fish in a really small pond. House never for a minute thought that this case would go national. HOORAY!!!! When this is over, Catoosa county is going to have some positions open, at least one judge and 2 ada's. Astonishingly, the district attorney is not saying one word. He's not coming to court. Wonder if it's to distance himself from the circus? That won't help him because ultimately he is the one in charge. There went his political aspirations (I hope)! This man had the power to stop this from the get go. I dont think he informed himself well enough before this went to trial. Too late now.

PRAYERS FOR TONYA

 

[kbl8201]

no he'll let his ada's be the scapegoats one way or another.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

I am praying for Tanya. The Today Show did a story on her case this am. It's not on their page yet but I'll post a link when it's added.

I first learned of this story on Today last week. My dear bf was also watching and he said this case reminds him of the McMartin Preschool trial back in the late 80's. He lived in Manhattan Beach during this time and told of the 'witch hunt' in the community. Here's a link with info. Techniques used in questioning children are interesting... http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/mcmartin/mcmartinaccount.html

wm

 

[joeskidbeck]

I am praying for Tanya. The Today Show did a story on her case this am. It's not on their page yet but I'll post a link when it's added.

I first learned of this story on Today last week. My dear bf was also watching and he said this case reminds him of the McMartin Preschool trial back in the late 80's. He lived in Manhattan Beach during this time and told of the 'witch hunt' in the community. Here's a link with info. Techniques used in questioning children are interesting... http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/mcmartin/mcmartinaccount.html

wm

Thanks, waltzing. I have been anxiously awaiting another segment on Today. I knew they had not left town, so they must have seen something that piqued their interest. I will be watching here for your link. Due to family obligations I have not been able to follow all the developments this week, so I really appreciate that others like you have taken an interest in Tonya's case. I believe I mentioned in an earlier post (sorry if I didn't) that Inside Edition had also been to Ringgold to watch the proceedings. If they have aired their segment, I'm not aware of it (will try to find out and post necessary link). Thanks to you and everyone that takes the time to read about this case before deciding on Tonya's guilt or innocence. You are all much appreciated and not taken for granted!

 

[waltzingmatilda]

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/37015514#37015514

Here's the link I promised. It is a video and has footage of Tonya testifying in court. An expert also weighs in. Hope this link works.

joeskidbeck, Thank you for your kind comments. This case really intrigues me as I am a former teacher. It's a tough job. I hope and pray justice is brought either way but I have doubts of Tonya being guilty of these charges. All Moo.

wm

If the above link doesn't work, here's the link to Today's main page. Scroll down to 'headlines'.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/

 

[joeskidbeck]

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/37015514#37015514

Here's the link I promised. It is a video and has footage of Tonya testifying in court. An expert also weighs in. Hope this link works.

joeskidbeck, Thank you for your kind comments. This case really intrigues me as I am a former teacher. It's a tough job. I hope and pray justice is brought either way but I have doubts of Tonya being guilty of these charges. All Moo.

wm

If the above link doesn't work, here's the link to Today's main page. Scroll down to 'headlines'.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/

Thank you for the link. OT for just one sec: You (and all teachers) have my upmost respect! I believe if our teachers were paid a lot more and lawyers a lot less, we would see a lot less crime in our country.