(09/22/08 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Sheral Lee Smith, 37, a teacher at Summit School, a private school, in Jackson, Mississippi has been arrested and charged with statutory rape and transfer of a controlled substance.
Smith is reportedly charged with the statutory rape of a 14-year-old male student.
The crime is alleged to have taken place at Smith’s home. The charge alleging the transfer of a controlled substances is predicated on a belief that Smith gave the boy some type of “pill”, reportedly Xanax.
Smith was arrested on September 17th and was released on $50,000 bail two days later.
09/23/08 – Additional Info
Sheral Lee Smith says that the allegations against her are false and that the boy was a friend of her son.
Smith says that her husband coached the boy in soccer and that he has been to the Smith home many times.
Meanwhile, prosecutors say that the relationship between Smith and the boy existed before she began teaching at the start of the current school year and that he was not one of her students.
Smith was reportedly initially suspended from her job but was subsequently fired.
Rankin County District Attorney Michael Guest says that the case will go to a grand jury which will decide if the case goes to trial.
10/02/08 – Smith May Face More Charges
Reportedly the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department is bringing four additional counts of statutory rape against Sheral Smith alleging crimes against the same victim as the earlier charges.
10/07/08 – Initial Court Appearance
Sheral Smith, who is now facing five counts of statutory rape and one count of transferring a controlled substance made her initial court appearance today.
Rankin County Judge Kent McDaniel ordered Smith, who has already undergone two psychological evaluations, to make arrangements within 48 hours of release on bond to get psychological treatment.
Smith is prohibited from any unsupervised contact with minors as a condition of her bond.
10/08/08 – Released On Bond Again
Sheral Smith was once again released on $50,000 bond after pleading not guilty to all charges.
12/05/08 – Grand Jury Indictment
Sheral Smith has been indicted by a Rankin County grand jury on four counts of statutory rape.
Reportedly the case of Sheral Smith will also be presented to the December Madison County grand jury for indictment.
07/20/09 – Trial Postponed
A Rankin County judge has agreed to delay the trial of Sheral Smith on five counts of statutory rape.
Smith who was scheduled for trial on July 8th, reportedly suffering a seizure on June 29 and has been hospitalized.
The trail has been set for August 17th.
Webmaster’s note: Thanks to “justsayno” whose comment clued us in to the latest development in the case of Sheral Smith
09/22/09 – Trial Delayed Again
The trial of Sheral Lee Smith has been delayed for the third time.
The latest delay is in order that Smith undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether she is competent to stand trial.
Following Monday’s hearing, Smith was taken into custody and transported to the Mississippi State Hospital in Whitfield for a psychiatric evaluation.
Webmaster’s note: Once again, thanks to “justsayno”, who is doing a great job of keeping track of the latest developments in the case of Sheral Smith
10/29/09 – Attorney Says Smith Suffered Mental Breakdown
John Colette, the attorney for Sheral Smith say that Smith has suffered a mental breakdown.
Colette indicated that he filed a motion for Smith to be sent to the state Hospital at Whitfield. The motion was approved but Whitfield has yet to admit Smith, according to Colette.
Reportedly, Smith is in solitary confinement at the Rankin County Jail because of her mental condition.
References:
Jailed Jackson teacher has breakdown (10/29/09)
Trial Delayed; Former Teacher To Undergo Psychiatric Evaluation (09/22/09)
Former Teacher’s Rape Trial Delayed Until Aug. 17 (07/07/09)
Rankin Teacher Indicted (Video report) (12/08/08)
Ex-teacher named in statutory rape indictment in Rankin (12/05/08)
Fired Madison school worker could face sex charge (12/02/08)
Brandon woman accused of sex with teen out on bond (10/08/08)
Former Teacher Faces Rankin County Judge on Statutory Rape Charges (10/07/08)
Jackson Teacher Faces More Rape Charges (10/07/08)
Brandon woman may face 4 additional sex charges (10/02/08)
Former Teacher Charged With Statutory Rape (09/23/08)
Former Teacher Facing Sex Crime Charge (09/23/08)
New Summit teacher denies sex charge (09/23/08)
New Summit teacher denies sex charge (09/23/08)
Female teacher arrested on sex charges involving student (09/22/08)
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i think she is guilty and i know her well. if you knew how she was then you would understand. (Deleted by site moderator) her family is in deniel.
This comment has been edited by site moderator in accordance with site policies as outlined in the “Comments” page.
Hate to make knee jerk reactions, but if she’s trying to say she’s mentally incompotent to stand trial, I’m beginning to think she’s guilty. Why else would someone try this? No better way to get off for slurping some teenage weenie than to say you’re bipolar or were hormonally imbalanced, or just plain old crazy.
Nice try Sheral! Now, take your plea deal and live out the remainder of your days in shame and infamy with the ignimonious stain of pediphilia hovering your every move.
The trial has been delayed again. Now she needs a psychiatric evaluation.
http://www.wapt.com/news/21067769/detail.html
Without know the details of this case, it’s impossible to say that she is guilty of what she’s accused of. However, she did something VERY STUPID and has caused her family unspeakable damage. More than likely, she will do time, but that will be the least of her problems.
Unless her husband is a damn fool, her marriage is over.
Sounds like she had a seizure on June 29th and the judge allowed the trial to be delayed until August 17th, 2009:
http://www.wapt.com/news/19983602/detail.html