Inside the Courtroom
Trial of the Child Molestation Case
WARNING: Some readers may find the content of this story disturbing. Discretion is advised.
On Sept. 11, while our country mourns the fifth anniversary of our nation's worst domestic tragedy, another domestic tragedy will unfold in a suburban Atlanta courtroom. Former foster parent Ronald William Shelton will be put on trial before the Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Ga., for molestation of two of his foster children.
The allegations are grim. The State of Georgia accuses Shelton of nine counts of child molestation and aggravated child molestation. Eight of the counts include sexual acts between Ronnie Shelton and a young girl. The remaining count includes a sexual act with a young boy.
Fostering Families Today is undertaking a unique opportunity to share the story of a real life foster parent on trial for allegations of child sexual abuse. Each day, Fostering Families Today through an experienced, knowledgeable, former foster parent, Erik Cooper, will bring to you a summary of actual trial events, including the jury selection process, opening statements of both the prosecutor and defense, victim and witness testimony, closing arguments and, of course, the verdict. The intent is not to sensationalize or exploit the life-changing events of this legal process. View this trial as a classroom, where we will identify in layman's terms, the legal procedure and terminology commonly used in the courtroom to enhance your understanding of the process as it unfolds.
We strongly recommend reader discretion of this story. Some readers may be offended by the content. Details of the accusations against Shelton may be considered graphic and disturbing to some readers. Please do not allow any child to read our coverage of this trial.
Coverage of this case will be objective and impartial. Neither this publication nor this writer will claim the innocence or guilt of Ronnie Shelton. Instead, as our readers, you will be provided fair and balanced coverage of the daily courtroom activities. Both Fostering Families Today and I are excited about this unique opportunity to share with you, trial of the child molestation case.
Fostering Families Today will provide daily updates of courtroom testimony available at www.adoptinfo.net. Upon conclusion of the trial, Fostering Families Today will publish a complete story of Trial of the Child Molestation Case. |
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Wednesday, September, 13, 2006 previous day's entry
DAY 3: JURY SELECTION COMPLETED
By Erik A. Cooper
WARNING: Some readers may find the content of this story disturbing. Discretion is advised.
Jury selection resumed this morning with the remaining 23 general pool jurors called for examination. Individual voir dire was conducted while 63 jurors in the general assembly pool remained sequestered in the jury assembly room.
Jurors continued to be dismissed today for cause, including situations involving either financial hardship, preplanned travel, or other special circumstances. At one point, Judge Hamil expressed concern for having a sufficient number of jurors in the general jury pool to provide for the mandatory minimum of 36 jurors to choose from. In the event 36 jurors were not qualified from the general pool of 63 panelists, additional jurors would have been summoned from the community to serve. However, even with the elimination of certain jurors today for cause, a sufficient number of jurors remained available in the general jury pool to allow for selection of a criminal trial jury of 12 selected jurors and two alternates.
To assemble a criminal trial jury in Georgia, both the state prosecutor and defense attorney are allowed 12 “strikes” each of the potential jurors qualified for selection. The attorneys must begin examination of each juror starting with juror number one and continuing in sequential order down the list. The list is silently carried by the bailiff to state prosecutor, then defense attorney, then back to the state prosecutor again. Back and forth, each attorney must either “accept” or “strike” the next juror on the list. Once 12 jurors and two alternates have been chosen, the selection process is completed.
Late this afternoon, a jury was selected. All potential jurors in the general jury pool were returned to the courtroom. One by one, jurors selected to serve in the criminal trial of State of Georgia vs. Ronald William Shelton were called by number and asked to return with the bailiff to the jury assembly room. The remaining jury pool panelists were thanked for their service and excused from the courtroom.
Motions in Limine Heard
After selecting a trial jury in the matter of State of Georgia vs. Ronald William Shelton today, Judge Hamil listened to arguments from both attorneys addressing various Motions in Limine.
A Motions in Limine seeks to either limit or altogether exclude certain issues from occurring during the trial. For example, criminal defense attorneys often seek to limit prejudicial information about their clients from being presented to the jury for consideration during the trial. In this case, Ronald William Shelton may have submitted to a polygraph test and a penile plethysmograph examination. From an earlier discussion with defense attorney Douglas N. Peters, Shelton passed a polygraph test. Nevertheless, the state chose not to consider the results and continued prosecution of the case. A penile plethysmograph examination involves linking genitalia of the subject to certain electronic devices with electrodes and wiring. While the accused is shown photographs or other images, the penile plethysmograph measures the subject’s arousal. Shelton may have submitted to such an examination; however, the results and evidence, if any, remain unknown.
Motions in Limine also seek to limit the use of certain words in the presence of the jury. Criminal defense attorneys often attempt to prohibit any reference to the defendant as “the accused,” or the alleged victims as “victims.” Defense attorneys argue such references taint a jury to assume the accused is guilty and the accuser is a “victim.”
Motions in Limine will limit the introduction of certain information and certain words or references during the criminal trial.
What’s coming up?
The criminal trial of former foster parent Ronald William Shelton will begin Thursday with jury instructions provided by Judge Hamil to the 14 panelists. Opening arguments will be delivered by Gwinnett County assistant district attorney Tracie Hobbs and criminal defense attorney Douglas Peters. Witnesses for the prosecution may appear as time permits.
Learn more about this true life trial of the child molestation case by checking this Web site daily and clicking on each day’s new link.
Have a question?
Did our coverage of this trial exclude something you find important? Email us at editor@adoptinfo.net, or louis@adoptinfo.net to ask us your question. We will share your thought with our writer, Erik A. Cooper, and post his response to your question in our blog soon.
Share your opinion!
Your opinion counts! With your input, we can all learn from this coverage. What do you think? Share your opinion by e-mailing us at louis@adoptinfo.net or editor@adoptinfo.net.
About the writer:
For more information about Erik Cooper’s personal experience as a foster parent accused of child molestation, visit his website at www.ErikCooper.com. You may also read Cooper’s personal story written exclusively for Fostering Families Today online at this link:
http://www.fosteringfamiliestoday.com/FFT/fft_web/ci_spotlight_beanId_2837.html.
DISCLAIMER: Trial of a Child Molestation Case is a true story involving actual events and the people involved. Whenever possible, the actual names of those involved in the case have been used. All minor children’s names have been changed to protect them. All information is available through access of public records, including actual courtroom testimony, transcripts, and other written documentation. Some information may not be available under seal of the court.
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