Maria Zurita
Posted by: Webmaster in Alternative Schools, FE-MV, Hall of Shame, New York, Teacher's Aides5/31/07 - Initial BBT Report)
Maria Zurita, 28, a former teachers aide at a school run by McQuade Children Services in New Windsor, New York has been indicted along with teacher Rebecca Becker for allegedly having sexual relations with 16-year-old male residents. The school serves children referred by social services, family court and school districts.
Zurita was indicted on a felony charge of third-degree rape and a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
The women were arrested on May 30th after the school called police.
The sexual activity between the women and the two boys is alleged to have taken place over the Memorial Day weekend at Zurita’s home.
Both women remain free on $1,000 bonds.
1/29/08 - Trial Delayed
The trial of Maria Zurita scheduled to begin on Monday has been delayed until February 4th owing to the prosecutions inability to properly serve a subpoena on the alleged victim, who apparently does not wish to be served.
2/04/08 - Plea Bargain Off - Trial Going Forward
A plea deal between prosecutors and Maria Zurita under which Zurita would plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child fell apart today as Zurita accused her former co-defendant of lying about a sexual escapade with two underage students last year at Zurita’s house.
Orange County Court Judge Nicholas DeRosa said that the deal was off and ordered a that a jury be seated for a trail which is getting underway today.
2/05/08 - Judge Issues Warrant For Alleged Victim
When the alleged victim failed to show up in court the trial judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Rebecca Becker testified for prosecution and will face cross-examination tomorrow.
2/07/08 - Trial Continues
The attorney for Maria Zurita attacked the testimony of Rebecca Becker, the states only real witness since the alleged victim is still “missing in action”.
For the defense Maria Zurita took the stand and testified there was no sex between her and the alleged victim.
2/07/08 - Statutory Rape Charge Dismissed
The trial judge has dismissed the statutory rape charge against Maria Zurita.
The trial continues on misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
02/08/08 - Guilty Verdict
The jury has found Maria Zurita guilty on the misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
Zurita faces up to one year in jail when sentenced April 4th.
05/09/08 - Sentencing
Today Maria Zurita was sentenced to the maximum 1 year in jail on her conviction on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
At sentencing Zurita apologized to the judge for “all the trouble I’ve caused”, although she did not admit to having sex with the boy.
Zurita’s attorney indicated that Zurita will appeal her conviction and sentence and that he will seek a stay of her sentence from the a state Supreme Court justice while the appeal is pending.
References:
Former teacher’s aide gets year behind bars for partying with male student
Former teacher’s aide found guilty (2/08/08)
Judge dismisses rape charge against former teacher’s aide (2/07/08)
Ex-teacher’s aide denies she had sex with student (2/07/08)
Defense attorney paints former McQuade teacher as a liar in colleague’s rape trial (2/06/08)
Judge issues arrest warrant for teenager in rape trial of former teacher’s aide (2/05/08)
Ex-teacher’s aide to stand trial in sex case (2/05/08)
Plea bargain called off for former McQuade teacher’s aide in sexual misconduct case (2/04/08)
Subpoena problems delay trial in sex case (1/29/08)
Former McQuade teacher, aide indicted on charges of having sex with students (7/26/07)
Locate All BadBadTeacher.com Coverage of Rebecca Becker and Maria Zurita
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April 9th, 2008 at 10:51 am
It sounds to me as she totally lucked out. What a joke. But it seems like the judge was looking for a way to keep her out of prison and her found one, with the help of the boy.