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

[joeskidbeck]

Finally, the story from Tonya in today's testimony:

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_175164.asp

 

[waltzingmatilda]

Thanks joeskidbeck for linking the story. OMG is all I can say. It sounds like this began when Ms Craft asked a counselor to talk to her daughter about the showers with new step mom. What kind of kinky stepmom asks a child to help her shave 'down there'? And her choice of wedding dress was scrutinized for being 'too tight'. WTH? This is so messed up. What a nightmare for this lady!

From above link

When asked why she retained out of town lawyers, she replied, “If I have a brain tumor I’m going to get a brain surgeon. I’m not going to a walk-in clinic.”

I don't understand why she was questioned about her choice of counsel. I would have done the same thing. No way would I hire anyone locally who could be influenced by 'the machine' around there.

Gosh if this lady is in trouble for applying cream to a child's bottom, I don't know what to think. I had a 1st grader who couldn't clean himself once and needed help so I helped him. I asked another teacher to stand by so that another adult was present and called the parent afterwards to explain she needed to address this as it wasn't my job description. She was very grateful that I helped him but..... if she had taken exception I could have been in a heap of trouble!

Anyway, Today just covered this story again. I'll post a link once it's posted on their site. They raised questions about lack of experience by those who interviewed the children in this case.

wm

 

[joeskidbeck]

Thanks, waltzingmatilda. I mentioned in an earlier post that I am from the same judicial circuit as Tonya. When my daughter was 14 years old, she and some of her friends got into trouble for making a huge amount of phone calls on a cell found that they had found. She had to go before a juvenile court judge so being a single mother, I applied for a court appointed attorney. They determined that I made too much money so I had to hire one (don't know what the standard is for "too much", but at that time I made less than (30k per year). Anyway, I had an aquaintance who happened to be a lawyer in Atlanta and he offered to come up and represent her at no charge, so happily I agreed. The judge chewed me out for bringing in "outside" counsel and let me know in no uncertain terms that my lawyer was not welcome in her courtroom! She did allow him to represent my daughter but not before humiliating me in front of a full courtroom and my friend who had driven two hours and donated his time on my behalf. He told me afterwards not to worry because most judges in small towns are that way. Said it looks as though you are trying to make the locals look bad by bringing in the big guns. Sorry it took so long to say this, but to me, it boils down to "what happens in Catoosa County, stays in Catoosa County". It's always been that way, but maybe now, those days are over.

 

[Belinda]

What a nightmare, joeskidbeck. To me, a judge should be reprimanded for that type of behavior. It's sad that they are not. How unprofessional and petty. I am really fascinated with this case now and am anxious to see how it turns out. Frankly, it sure seems like a railroad to me.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

Thanks, waltzingmatilda. I mentioned in an earlier post that I am from the same judicial circuit as Tonya. When my daughter was 14 years old, she and some of her friends got into trouble for making a huge amount of phone calls on a cell found that they had found. She had to go before a juvenile court judge so being a single mother, I applied for a court appointed attorney. They determined that I made too much money so I had to hire one (don't know what the standard is for "too much", but at that time I made less than (30k per year). Anyway, I had an aquaintance who happened to be a lawyer in Atlanta and he offered to come up and represent her at no charge, so happily I agreed. The judge chewed me out for bringing in "outside" counsel and let me know in no uncertain terms that my lawyer was not welcome in her courtroom! She did allow him to represent my daughter but not before humiliating me in front of a full courtroom and my friend who had driven two hours and donated his time on my behalf. He told me afterwards not to worry because most judges in small towns are that way. Said it looks as though you are trying to make the locals look bad by bringing in the big guns. Sorry it took so long to say this, but to me, it boils down to "what happens in Catoosa County, stays in Catoosa County". It's always been that way, but maybe now, those days are over.

Ohmy! I am sorry that you were humiliated like that in the courtroom. I'm glad she relented and allowed your daughter representation. Gosh I didn't know judges were allowed to speak this way. Aren't they supposed to be impartial? Was the judge the same one that's presiding over Tonya's case?

I wish for everyone to understand that I am not demeaning the testimony of these children. I would like to know the strategy used in the questioning of them though, especially after researching the McMartin preschool molestation trial. There are many behaviors that a child goes through which are age appropriate. For instance, four year old children have a penchant for telling tall tales. If you ask them questions, they will embellish the story and it becomes bigger and better. It is a natural part of their development.
How old were these children at the time of the abuse?

I have so many questions and like Tonya stated in her testimony "I just want the truth." I also want her to have a fair trial with an impartial jury.

OT I grew in in AL about 1 hr or so down I-59 S. I used to spend alot of time in Chattanooga as my cousin lived there. I loved Rock City when I was a kid! LOL!

 

[VespaElf]

Personally I want to see the step -mother brought up on charges also!
Having her step-daughter help her shave her "bikini" area!!! WTF???

 

[joeskidbeck]

walzingmatilda; no, it wasn't the same judge. At that time he was still a trial lawyer. You are right about the children. In all of the articles that I have read it seems as though the children were coached about what to say. Most of the time they started out saying nothing and were asked several times "is that all?" leading the children to believe they needed to come up with something else to say. My four year old grandson can come up with the most outrageous tales you have ever heard, all it takes is for an adult to mention something and he can stretch that tale for miles!

VespaElf, can you believe this woman testified to this in the trial! There is a law here in Georgia that says certain professionals must report suspicions of child abuse, I just wonder how many there were in the courtroom that day and if they reported HER? I'm glad that I don't know this woman. She has issues if she truly believed there is nothing wrong with that. It is wrong on many levels.

 

[kbl8201]

seems to me if anyone is a molester its the step mom.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

seems to me if anyone is a molester its the step mom.

No Chit!!!! I wonder what was going through the jurors minds when they heard this testimony.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/37059519#37059519

 

[Linda7NJ]

I just finished watching Wendy Murphy on the above Today link....

Two of the little girls had vaginal injuries.

IMO It's not looking good for Ms. Craft.

 

[Linda7NJ]

walzingmatilda; no, it wasn't the same judge. At that time he was still a trial lawyer. You are right about the children. In all of the articles that I have read it seems as though the children were coached about what to say. Most of the time they started out saying nothing and were asked several times "is that all?" leading the children to believe they needed to come up with something else to say. My four year old grandson can come up with the most outrageous tales you have ever heard, all it takes is for an adult to mention something and he can stretch that tale for miles!

VespaElf, can you believe this woman testified to this in the trial! There is a law here in Georgia that says certain professionals must report suspicions of child abuse, I just wonder how many there were in the courtroom that day and if they reported HER? I'm glad that I don't know this woman. She has issues if she truly believed there is nothing wrong with that. It is wrong on many levels.

Had your four year old grandson ever told a complete and accurate work of fiction about being sexual molested? I would certainly hope not, and if he did....I would hope you would believe him.

Children can not create entire plausible scenarios about something they have never seen or experienced like sexual abuse. It's like a 5 year old accurately describing everything involved in piloting an jetliner....it ain't gonna happen.

I simply do not believe these children got together and conspired to bring down Ms. Craft and lied so well to convince the professionals around them. I doubt two of them injured themselves to frame her. I also HIGHLY doubt parents could ever coach their children well enough to convince professionals and do you really think the parents would go so far as to injure their own daughter's vagina's just to "get" Ms. Craft?

I also do not believe this is all the work of an angry ex-husband nor do I believe it's a corrupt judge or prosecution all working together to get Tonya Craft. . I'm also not buying into it's a "perfect storm" of all of these things coming together.

As much as it pains me, this woman IMO is a child molester. It's the most simple and logical conclusion. I have no doubts.

Is there any way to get transcripts of the children's testimony? There seems to be LOTS of inaccurate reporting.

 

[Belinda]

That is the first time I have heard of vaginal injuries. That certainly would not be a good thing, if it is true. I wonder where this information came from? I saw that you listed the Today show, but did they reveal their source for this information?

 

[tlcya]

Depends on who diagnosed vaginal injuries and the extent of those injuries. I prefer to sit back and withhold judgment on this one. A lot of what I have heard and read about how this case was originally handled, investigated, and tried smells fishy. So I would like to know if the person who conducted the exams was qualifed to recognize and diagnose sexual abuse.

I just can't help remembering the witch hunts of the past and that so much seems off about this case.

Children are highly suggestible and how they are interviewed and by whom can greatly affect their testimony. Children spend their entire days reading the body language, mood, and attitude of the adults around them. Add to that the fact that they inherently want to please the adults around them and you get a recipe for disaster. That is why it is SO SO important that when abuse is suspected they be interviewed by experts wha are qualifed in interview techniques that are appropriate and geared specifically toward children of that age range.

 

[kbl8201]

Had your four year old grandson ever told a complete and accurate work of fiction about being sexual molested? I would certainly hope not, and if he did....I would hope you would believe him.

Children can not create entire plausible scenarios about something they have never seen or experienced like sexual abuse. It's like a 5 year old accurately describing everything involved in piloting an jetliner....it ain't gonna happen.

I simply do not believe these children got together and conspired to bring down Ms. Craft and lied so well to convince the professionals around them. I doubt two of them injured themselves to frame her. I also HIGHLY doubt parents could ever coach their children well enough to convince professionals and do you really think the parents would go so far as to injure their own daughter's vagina's just to "get" Ms. Craft?

I also do not believe this is all the work of an angry ex-husband nor do I believe it's a corrupt judge or prosecution all working together to get Tonya Craft. . I'm also not buying into it's a "perfect storm" of all of these things coming together.

As much as it pains me, this woman IMO is a child molester. It's the most simple and logical conclusion. I have no doubts.

Is there any way to get transcripts of the children's testimony? There seems to be LOTS of inaccurate reporting.

if you read the whole thread you'll notice there's a viable, alternative suspect to actual molestation

 

[kbl8201]

i dont think the kids made up the molestation anymore.

i think its been redirected from who actually did it.

 

[kemo]

The whole issue of "vaginal injuries" is one frought with controversy. During the "heyday" of satanic panic, it was very commen for the prosecution to present an MD "expert" who would testify "definite sexual abuse" while the defense would produce an equally qualified witness who would say "perfectly normal, no indication of sexual abuse". Since then, the science has improved. Now days, medical testimony is more likely to be non-commital; "vaginal injuries" will frequently be regarded as consistant with, but by no means proof of sexual abuse.

This website (http://www.pathguy.com/abuse.htm) is from a pathologist who is recognized as an "expert witness" and fequently testifies in court. You get the impression there is a very wide "grey area" where sexual abuse can neither be ruled in or out. There are some extreme situations where injuries are so serious that abuse is probable but many situations don't fall into that area. The pelvic exam is often not clear evidence one way or the other and it is just another piece of the puzzle the jurors will have to consider.

 

[tlcya]

"vaginal injuries" is a pretty vague description. I will await more info. A lack of a hyman could be seen as vaginal injury by some but actually be an innocent state of affairs caused by many things not just abuse. and if abuse occurred, I don't know that it can convince me it came from this lady.

What are the statistics now on sexual abuse? 1 in 10, 1 in 5? It is epidemic in this country and if you examine a large enough group of children, unfortunately, you may well find phsyical indications of abuse in one or two.

 

[kbl8201]

remember i said i heard tonya thought, due to her daughters behavior, that her father was molesting her. from the looks of it, she had the right tree, but the wrong branch. and if you think im falsley accusing step mom, tell me, other then micheal jackson, who thinks its normal behavior to bathe with a 7 year old or have them shave your pubic region?

 

[Linda7NJ]

if you read the whole thread you'll notice there's a viable, alternative suspect to actual molestation

I read the article. The entire article. The three alleged victims identified TONYA CRAFT. Tonya Craft, no one else, and I believe them.

IMO That eliminates ALL other suspects from these particular allegations.