Virgil Harper
Posted by: Webmaster in California, Charges Dismissed, Elementary Schools, ME-UNKNOWN, Substitute Teachers
(04/03/08 - Initial BBT Report)
Virgil Cleon Harper, 65, a substitute teacher at Powell Elementary School in Azusa, California has been arrested on suspicion of inappropriately touching students.
Harper was arrested on suspicion of 10 counts of lewd acts with children on allegations that he improperly touched the students 10 days earlier on what was reportedly his first day of teaching at the school.
Harper came to the attention of authorities when the alleged victims told their regular teacher that Harper had touched them inappropriately during class for what investigators later determined was about 90 minutes. The teacher reported the information to school administrators who called police.
Harper was being held at the Azusa city jail today pending a court hearing Monday at L.A. County Superior Court in Pomona. Detectives are recommending that Harper be placed on a $1 million bond.
10/28/08 - Trial Ends In Hung Jury
The trial of Virgil Cleon Harper ended Monday with a hung jury after three days of deliberations.
The Whittier Daily News reports that the jury was deadlock with seven jurors voting guilty and five jurors voting not guilty.
On Tuesday, it is reported that the judge dropped lewd conduct charges against Harper, calling the accusations “implausible”.
Reports indicate that the district attorney’s office has said it will not refile the charges.
References:
Teacher exonerated (10/28/08)
Harper trial concludes in hung jury (10/27/08)
Substitute teacher in Azusa arrested in molestations (04/03/08)
Substitute teacher arrested on suspicion of lewd conduct (04/03/08)
Student accuses substitute of inapproriate touching (03/27/08)
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October 29th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Well the case looked very weak. Whenever the coppers ask for a high bond of a million dollars is a sign of a weak case. From the article it would seem that the coppers acted before thinking, another sign of normal police work. If the coppers would do their job instead of listening to ‘gut’ feelings…
October 28th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Teacher exonerated http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvcrime/2008/10/teacher-exonerated.html
By Frank Girardot on October 28, 2008 5:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | ShareThis
This from Bethania Palma:
AZUSA — A judge Tuesday dropped lewd conduct charges against a local substitute teacher, calling the accusations “implausible,” officials said.
Virgil Cleon Harper, 66, of Azusa, faced nine counts of committing lewds with a child, stemming from allegations when he substituted for the fourth grade teacher at W.R. Powell Elementary School in Azus March 21.
A jury deliberated for three days before failing to reach a decision Monday. Seven jurors believed Harper was guilty while five believed he was not.
The District Attorney’s office will not refile the case officials said.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Just so you know, Cleon Harper was exonerated of all charges today, 10-27-08.