Breckenridge, MICHIGAN

No contest to seven counts of gross indecency.
Fifty-year-old teacher and 15-year-old girl.

April 3, 2008 - Donita Brady, 50, a 7th grade physical education and language arts teacher at Breckenridge Middle School and Breckenridge High School, has been has been charged with seven counts of criminal sexual conduct with a 15-year-old female student.

She was arraigned Wednesday before 65th District Court Judge James Mackie. Because Brady teaches in the same district as the alleged victim, the five first-degree charges were upgraded from less serious third-degree counts and what would have been fourth-degree charges were upgraded to second-degree, Gratiot County Prosecutor Keith Kushion said.

The five counts of first degree criminal sexual complaint involve digital penetration or oral sex.

The alleged victim and her parents filed the complaint with the Breckenridge Police Department on March 2. The incidents allegedly took place between September 2007 and February.

ARRESTED April 4 - Teacher arrested on sex charges
Brady is divorced and has children. She is on leave from the school district. A preliminary is scheduled for April 16.

PRELIMINARY WAIVED April 16 - Brady waived a preliminary hearing in district court. She is scheduled to be arraigned in 29th Circuit Court on May 5. Originally on sick leave, she is now on paid administrative leave.

ARRAIGNMENT WAIVED May 6 - Brady on Monday waived her arraignment in Gratiot County Circuit Court. Official set a trial date of Wednesday, July 2. Brady, who is divorced and has children, is on administrative leave. She has taught in Breckenridge schools for 27 years.

TRIAL POSTPONED June 16 - Brady's trial has been postponed for two months. The trial scheduled for July 2 has been rescheduled for September 3.

June 23 - Gratiot County Circuit Judge Randy Tahvonen was to hear the case for Donita Brady, 50, but postponed it to Wednesday, Sept. 3, from Wednesday, July 2. Tahvonen adjourned the trial because of ''new discovery'' items about which Brady's lawyers want more information, Gratiot County Prosecutor Keith Kushion said without elaborating.

MOTION DENIED July 23 - During a pretrial hearing Monday in 29th Circuit Court, Judge Randy Tahvonen ruled against a motion filed by Donita Brady's lawyers to "obtain or have the court review confidential and privileged medical records" of the alleged victim, Gratiot County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Bakker said. Bakker called it a fishing expedition into the life of a victim.

NO CONTEST PLEA August 18 - Brady pleaded no contest to seven counts of gross indecency between females. She will be sentenced October 20. Brady remains on administrative leave from the district.

SENTENCED (Sorta) October 20 - Brady was sentenced (sorta) to one year in jail - not prison - followed by five years of probation. She will be required to register as a sex offender after her release.
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TT - Amazingly, the court had received numerous letters from supporters on both sides of the issue. Lowercase judge Randy Tahvonen from the 29th circuit court decided to stay within the state recommended sentencing guidelines of zero to 17 months for the reduced charge.