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Jay Teachers Plead Not Guilty To Charges They Had Relationships With Students
August 27, 2009
Both Jay High School teachers accused of having inappropriate sexual relationships with underage students at the north Santa Rosa County school have pleaded not guilty.
Ashley Elenea Burkett, 31, and April Burford Watson, 33, both of Jay, entered written pleas to Santa Rosa County Judge Gary L. Bergosh.
Both women were released on $50,000 bond each after being booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail August 6 on three counts each of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a second degree felony. Both were released on GPS monitors.
“The investigation was initiated on July 28, 2009 after an anonymous letter was sent to the Santa Rosa County School District alleging sexual relationships between two Jay High School teachers and male juveniles,” Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Sgt. Scott Haines said. The letter was turned over the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office for investigation.
“Interviews were conducted with the alleged victims in the case. Two victims alleged that they were involved in sexual activity with Watson at her residence and the residence of Burkett between the months of July and October 2007. One other victim alleged that he was involved in sexual activity with Burkett at her residence and the residence of Watson between the months of July and October 2007,” Haines said. “Both of the suspects were questioned by investigators and they both admitted to the unlawful sexual activity.”
For more about the case, click here for an August 6 NorthEscambia.com story.
Comments
22 Responses to “Jay Teachers Plead Not Guilty To Charges They Had Relationships With Students”
REGARDING:
“I do not understand our legal system and why some people stay out until trial and others who have done less stay locked up)”
Unless the prosecution convinces the judge the defendant is a danger to others or will not show up for trial, the Constitution insists they be released without excessive bail.
(Amendment 8 – Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.)
Consider: in some cases the punishment even if convicted might be six months suspended sentence but if they waited two years to go to trial, they have already been locked up longer than normal sentence and if found not guilty, well, that would be cruel to lock up an innocent person.
Sometimes, though, people can’t make bail. the judge sets it too high or they don’t have anyone willing to help them get out while awaiting trial. sometimes they simply act violent and force the judge to not allow bail.
Also, there was a case recently where a defendant out on bail broke the conditions of his release by attacking some folks and by going into a forbidden area. He was returned to jail until such time as a lawyer convinced the judge to let him go again in part because the ones attacked went into hiding or simply thought they had better things to do.
When it went to trial, the jury found him not guilty because the state did not convince him he had actually commotted murder.
Part of the idea also is to allow a person freedom to mount a defense which might not be easy when distracted by other accused felons.
And some people refuse to put up bail, after all while they are in jail, the state is responsible for their health care, food, clothing and shelter.
WHERE WERE THESE TEACHERS WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hmm, I wonder if they plead not guilty as opposed to guilty they still are “suspended with pay.” Does anyone know? I would think that, until a guilty plea is entered or they are found guilty, they would still receive their pay. These 2 women may do stupid things, but in this instance I believe they know exactly how to work the system.
I guess if they are out right now there is still time for some more hanky panky. lets see how long we can keep them on the street? (I am not serious of course as I do not understand our legal system and why some people stay out until trial and others who have done less stay locked up)
THAT IS IT! I am tired of you idiots. First of all, Century Girl, the GPS Monitor that is a condition of her release and to ensure that she does not leave the jurisdictiion. Her conditions of release include that she not be around minor children, other than her own, without supervision. They may well be guilty, and we all realize t hat, but until they enter a plea of guilty or are found to be guilty, they still have the right to bring their children to school. As for the not guilty plea, that is to allow their counsel to either negotiate a plea with the State, or to make a decision to go to trial. If you were in the same situation, would you walk up, plead, and be sentenced, OR would you allow your attorney to do his job. It amazes me to read the ramblings of people who obviously have no idea what they are talking about. As far as being “slapped on the wrist” or finding a loophole, we have to trust the States Attorney to not accept any kind of deal that could be seen that way. I guess the bottom line is…………….ARE YOU PEOPLE REALLY THIS STUPID OR DO YOU WRITE THIS NONSENSE AS A JOKE?
Something puzzling…I heard from a Jay School parent that she sees one of these teachers bringing her child to school every day. How is that possible if they are wearing GPS monitors and not suppose to be on the campus. The policeman who directs traffic supposely flags her through every day.. Something doesn’t seem right with this.
As I read these comments, I clearly see different issues. Number one, the two TEACHERS, not girls, but women committed a crime. They need to be punished to a certain degree and face up to what they did. But this issue is bringing up some old memories of school days for a lot of people. Teachers who taught me around the 80’s….. if you read this, just know that the majority of you did not treat every student equally. You kissed up to the popular kids and ignored those with less. It’s the people in Jay who have that NEED to be thought of as better, having more money, driving the best vehicles, keeping your noses up in the air. How do you think that made students feel, when they didn’t think enough about themselves to raise their hand and ask a question. And that was a learned behavior… year after year. So think about that teachers of old Jay High.
to Jennifer….go back and read the original article, they BOTH admitted to all of it, now all of a sudden, they aren’t guilty…sounds like a lawyer told them to say this….
In regards to RW and Tommy
Seriously, these two woman make you wish you were back in high school?!?!?!?! Maybe you should buy some glasses.
I just don’t understand. Yes, I understand that there are some teenage boys that are nice looking, but in my opion no matter how cute / sexy / hot they are, they are not worth losing everything that you have worked your life for! Your Husband, Your Family, Your children, Your Life, Your Career & Your Freedom!!!! How stupid of both of those women!
For those of you who aren’t familiar with our legal system……… It has nothing to do with the amount of money paid to an attorney. A public defender would have advised them to plead not quilty. There seems to be a lot of jealousy in the small town of Jay. I say get over it. Some people have money and some don’t.
What ever happened to innocent until proven gulity? Both of these women could be innocent and the community is not supporting them at all.
How sad that they will end up getting slapped on the wrist, when they were suppose to be an authorative figure to the students. If I had children going to Jay school I would be very upset if they had to teach my children. I assure you they will be able to hire a high price lawyer to get them out of this, and that is so unfair. What’s fair for the goose should be fair for the gander.
words of 2 true gentlemen below me……i hope u never have children
I wish I was back in High School
Native 1 and Farm Boy…….I agree wholeheartedly!!!!!They may get away with a lie here on earth but it won’t happen in heaven………..
maybe their lawyers have discovered that they werent advised properly of their miranda rights, prior to questioning, otherwise….hhmmm…seems like, at the very least, they should have pleaded no contest…..they did offer up a “confession” relatively quick….seems like most folks, in similiar circumstances, would have immediately stop talking and asked for legal counsel, had they been advised of their rights PRIOR TO QUESTIONING, during the initial investigation interview……now, should they go before a jury and be found guilty of the charges, i believe that by now entering a “not guilty” plea (when it comes to the sentencing phase) the judge may feel as though the two have refused to take responsibility for their actions, as well as, lack significant remorse….i havent read as to whether they will be tried together or separately….i believe that it would make a difference, possibly
Where were teachers like this when I was in school??
Things that Moms proud!
These two women and their families are showing just what true idiots they are. To even think this is the way to handle this and try to portray yourself as this victim is really comical. Wonder if they ever thought of doing the right thing and stepping up and taking their punishment like a true and remorseful adult. Guess not. I guess their families name and money will get them out of this one too. Amazing what you can buy these days.
If they both have admitted to these relationship, why enter a not guilty plea. Why not save both them and their families further embarssment?
How in the world can you plea not guilty, when you have ADMITTED to the crime… I guess they are going for a loop hole somewhere…