There are times when updates make you angry. All over again.
In Grand Coulee, Washington, Vernon E. Heizer, a sixth-grade teacher was scheduled to go to trial on Tuesday. The trial was postponed and rescheduled for March 27 where he is expected to plea.
Heizer was arrested in July 2007. He was booked on suspicion of second-degree rape of a child, third-degree rape of a child, third-degree child molestation and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. It is alleged that he initiated a sexual relationship with her that lasted the better part of a year.
Vernon Heizer is 50. The student was 14 years old.
TT entry.
And then there are times when you have hope.
A middle school principal is adamantly opposed to probation for Montgomery "Monty" Koons. In November 2007, Koons pleaded three counts of aggravated statutory rape and was sentenced to four years in prison. However, he applied for probation or judicial diversion. A judge will decide in March.
The middle school principal, Bruce Lay, wrote to Criminal Court Judge Don Elledge in December. He wrote that “I am not in support of callling it even and reducing the consequences for Monty’s unlawful activities.
“Monty is a 51-year-old adult who has consistently demonstrated the ability to discern between wrong and right.”
Lay’s letter also stated that the principal has been disappointed in past cases similar to the Koons’ case and that jail time is an appropriate consequence for adults who have sexually assaulted children.Koons is 51. The girl was 15 years old.
“I feel we are sending the wrong message when a teacher who has been sexually involved with a minor simply receives probation,” Lay wrote. “Furthermore, it is my opinion that the practice of assigning such individuals probation is not sending a clear message that educators and authority figures are not to cross this line.”
TT entry. Tennessee is not noted for robust sentencing of child predators in the classroom.
