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| May 05, 2024 |
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General News: Trial Set for Fired Teacher
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| Daniella Jones' harassment case goes to trial May 20. |
March 12, 2008
The harassment case against Daniella Jones, the Cornwall high school biology teacher fired in January, is going to trial.
Judge Francis Navarra set the trial for April 9, 2008, at 12 o’clock. Judge Navarra said he wanted to get the case heard in a timely manner because of all the attention it has gotten in the news media. He also noted that he had not read the coverage of the story.
Last month, her attorney said that Daniella Jones was fired from her teaching position after she allegedly made inappropriate physical contact with a student. Jones claims that the student also used a racial pejorative against her, fueling the conflict that resulted in the second degree harassment charge against her.
At the hearing on Wednesday evening, Judge Navarra extended an order of protection against Jones taken out by the student involved in the incident. “Stay away from him” Navarra told Jones, “do not email him or anything.”
Jones’ attorney Paul Trachte said that an order of protection is standard procedure in a case like this and that he was not aware of any incident that would have called for an order of protection.
Trachte also said that he and his client had intended to go for a trial from the beginning. The prosecution expects to call four witnesses. Attorney Trachte said he would put anyone on the stand “who is willing to come forward and tell the truth.”
Prior to terminating Jones, the school district launched its own investigation. School superintendent Timothy Rehm has defended that investigation as “thorough and fair.”
A few of Jones’ supporters were present for the hearing Wednesday, including former school board candidate Rafael Ortiz, who said later that he found the situation sad. “This situation could have been defused,” Ortiz noted, “it could have been a great moment of truth.”
Comments:
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We are reminded everyday the importance of maintaining good family and neighborly values.
Please, let us not allow this Sad experience to FADE or REPEAT itself EVER in our community.
posted by Rafael Ortiz on 03/14/08 at 8:54 AM
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This is a very sad event. However, Ms.Jones,as an educational professional, knew as soon as she touched this student, she was in the wrong. She should have followed the school's discipline code. I would attribute this error to her age and lack of experience. It certainly would not have prevented her from obtaining employment as a science teacher, as they are in very high demand. The legal lengths she is taking to pursue this matter will hamper her future employment however. Aprobationay appointment is exactly that with very little in the way of legal protections. It is not a race issue, much as the press would like to make it out to be. It is a case of a professional taking inappopriate physical action as per NYS Education Law and I am sure that is how a court will rule.
posted by LisH on 03/14/08 at 12:03 PM
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