Corey DeHart
Posted by Webmaster in Charges Dismissed, High Schools, ME-FV, Math, Tennessee
(04/17/08 – Initial BBT Report)
Corey DeHart, a math teacher at Halls High School in Knoxville, Tennessee has been indicted by a Knox County grand jury on charges of statutory rape and sexual battery by an authority figure.
DeHaret came to the attention of authorities in September by way of complaint from a female student. He was placed on paid administrative leave at that time.
His status was changed to unpaid leave in December.
After being booked into the Knox County Jail DeHart was released on $50,000 bond
05/13/08 – Trial Date Set
Corey DeHart has been scheduled for trial on November 17th on charges of statutory rape and sexual battery by an authority figure.
DeHart remains free on $50,000 bond.
11/17/08 – Charges Dismissed
Prosecutors today dropped charges against Corey DeHart, a Halls High School teacher accused of having sex with a student.
Of the dropping of charges the prosecutor was quoted as saying, “Basically our case evaporated”. This in light of evidence that reportedly called into question the account of DeHart’s accuser and “explained away” what prosecutors had thought was evidence backing up the student’s claim.
DeHart’s status with the school system is yet to be clarified.
06/30/09 – Corey DeHart To Appear Before School Board
Corey DeHart is to appear before the Knox County School Board today to dispute alleged sexual activity with a female student, who is also scheduled to appear at the hearing.
Knox County School Superintendent Jim McIntyre last month recommended DeHart’s termination.
All criminal charges against DeHart were dropped and the prosecutor said, “Basically our case evaporated”. This after DeHart’s defense attorney uncovered proof that punched holes in evidence of the teenager’s claims.
DeHart has been suspended without pay since December, 2007.
He began teaching at Halls, his alma mater, in 1998 and was tenured in 2001.
References:
Halls High teacher to dispute charges of sex with student (06/30/09)
Student-sex charges dropped against Halls High teacher (11/17/08)
November trial set for Halls teacher accused of sex with student (05/13/08)
Halls teacher accused of sexual battery (04/17/08)
Halls High teacher charged with having sex with student (04/17/08)
Entries (RSS)
October 6th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Corey was my math teacher fifteen years ago and also worked as a counselor helping people who had been sexually abused. I was on the honor roll and won several achievment awards in his class and it was because of Corey’s dedication in the classroom that I done well. There are many things I would like to say about Corey, but the most important thing I can say is that he’s innocent. However, his career and reputation are ruined. Here’s a guy that’s devoted his life to helping people academically and mentally and what does he get in the end? You know it’s really sad that in todays society it doesn’t take much to ruin someones career and their life. All it takes is this: “He touched me” and your life as you know it is over. Even his mug shot is on this website and the man is not guilty. No one will ever talk about all the great things Corey did for people and how he changed their lives. Unfortunately he’ll be remembered as “another one of those teacher sex scandal cases.” If Corey were guilty then he would deserve everything he got and then some. But he’s not guilty.
May I suggest taking his mug shot off here and perhaps the entire entry itself. The man has already suffered enough.
July 27th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
A message to so-called CONCERNED PARENT:
Please do us all a favor and HOME SCHOOL you kids. I really do hope that something like this happens to you or one or your loved ones. You need to learn a lesson from this. Obviously, you haven’t learned anything from it yet, but what goes around comes around, and one of these days it will be your turn.
You out to move to a place like Saudi Arabia. They don’t care about giving someone a fair trial.
(Remainder deleted by site moderator)
This comment has been edited by site moderator in accordance with site policies as outlined in the “Comments” page.
July 27th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
It seems as though we are living in the Dark Ages. If you are a teacher, remember that you are NOT there to be a friend to ANYBODY. You need to separate your personal feelings from your profession. This poor soul was the victim of witch hunting mentality and even though he’s innocent, nobody will EVER trust him again. Would you?
He may be able to sue, but he won’t win. Good luck in trying to find a lawyer who will take such as case. I’ve seen teachers get set up by students who were later found innocent, but NOTHING EVER HAPPENS TO THE STUDENTS! Nothing ever happens because school administrators would just rather keep quiet until it all blows away. But it never does blow away.
Peter Rabbit was right on the bunny trail when he asked why the police allowed this to fester out of control.
When I was around 15, homosexual men used to try to hit on me all the time. I never thought of going to the police, because that was back in the early 1970s and nobody would have cared. I was always able to take care of myself, AND I DID!
My God, I truly feel bad for this man! The girl should have been given the prison sentence that he would have gotten. Now, that’s justice!
July 1st, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Concerned Parent, are you confused? He is innocent, so stop running around acting like a rumor mill. Plus it is people like you that doesn’t understand just because he was arrested doesn’t mean he did anything and since the charges were dismissed before the trial proves the police (pigs) are too lazy to perform their duties.
(Deleted by site moderator)
Yes, this man should sue and seek charges again the girl her family, the Police Department (Pig Pen), the school and the DA’s office for accepting the case in the first place.
Corey DeHart, I am sorry for what you are going through. It is a shame that the pigs (police) couldn’t put two and two together. Please sue them all!!!
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:04 am
Just because someone didn’t commit a crime, doesn’t mean they didn’t also hit on or otherwise harrass a student…Isn’t there a difference between not being able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that rape occurred, and inappropriate touching of a student, by a teacher???? Come on, even if there was no sex, the TEACHER, shouldn’t have been touching the STUDENT. I don’t want a teacher in my school, close to my child, who touches kids – I dont’ care if they are “older teens.”
April 13th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
As of today, this man has still not been reinstated to his previous position. He has not been taken off of unpaid leave. He has been without pay for 16 months. He has been cleared by DCS, which was a separate investigation from the District Attorney. Yet Knox County Schools still refuses to reinstate his pay and teaching position, without reason. The community has been made aware of this with little response. No one cares that his life has been devastated. Everyone wants to jump to the defense of the child (not really a child in this case, but a troubled unsupervised and ignored older teen), but when the child is pretty much proven a liar, very few want to help restore this man who was falsely accused. The apathy in this community and our society in general is depressing and the refusal of the school district to do the right thing is even sadder still.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:38 am
I’m a police officer and based on what I’m reading, I don’t think the police were out to get anyone but I think they were fooled by a smart a** little kid who manipulated the system to the fullest while wrecking this teacher’s career and LIFE in the process… Mr. DeHart, Have the girl arrested for making false statements and sue the hell out of her family! Best of luck to you!
November 17th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
This is truly horrible. Not only was this guys life RUINED but I have to agree with Peter Rabbit!
Let’s start with the police. They clearly did a horrible job. As is evident, police aren’t going to make and arrest without at least SOME evidence to support the accuser’s claim. Apparently this supporting evidence was so shoddy that it didn’t hold up. Either the police deliberately rail-roaded this guy or they were too incompetent to see that the evidence they gathered was bogus. Police are supposed to be experienced in dealing with accusers – they are supposed to be able to discern with some degree of certainty which are legit and which aren’t. THEY FAILED.
This poor S.O.B. was on UNPAID leave for 11 months. ELEVEN MONTHS! Who can survive that? So not only is he not receiving income for nearly a year but he is also incurring debt for legal fees, etc. Add to that the incalculable cost of the mental anguish he endured by having his reputation torn to shreds and the strain this had to put on his family….this man is owed a debt that can not be recovered.
What would be fair?
First – his union needs to get the school board to reimburse him in full + interest. The school board failed him in this case and so did his union. Shame on all of them for bleeding this man dry before he had his day in court.
Second – the parents of this student should be held liable for the damage their child caused. This was a child so the child’s conduct is their responsibility. I doubt they have any money but any they have should be turned over to Mr. Dehart.
Third – reasonable reparations should be made by the county/city, whoever was responsible for the investigation. Start with 5 million dollars.
I’d like to hear more about this story. Is this really how it ends? The prosecution says, “whoops! We blew it!” and then they wash their hands of this incident?
Peter and I demand action.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:09 am
This guy life will never be the same because of a lying c%&t student. Who’s the victim now? What consequences will she face for lying and ruining this guys life? Maybe she’ll be labeled a troubled child and get a scholarship college or something.
Why didn’t the police do their homework before arresting this guy? Can he sue for false arrest and sue the girl and her parents for damages? Will he receive back pay and get his job back? How can he ever be made whole?
I hope you’re reading this Biloxiteacher, A Good Teacher and Somebody. Who’s your DADDY now!
May 14th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
He’s so innocent! This is getting ridiculous! Innocent until proven guilty, right? Her friends don’t even believe her!