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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Thursday, September 14, 2006 previous day's entry
DAY 4: ACCUSED CHILD MOLESTER FACES ACCUSERS
By Erik A. Cooper
WARNING: Some readers may find the content of this story disturbing. Discretion is advised.
Former foster parent and accused child molester Ronald William Shelton faced his accusers this afternoon as day four of the State of Georgia vs. Ronald William Shelton child molestation trial continued today.
A criminal trial jury was empanelled Sept. 13 with the selection of 12 jurors and two alternates to determine the innocence or guilt of a former foster parent accused of molesting two of his foster children. The alleged victims, whose names we have changed to protect their identity, told jurors graphic details of lewd conduct and sexual abuse committed by Ronnie Shelton.
Judge R. Timothy Hamil returned to the bench this morning and addressed a trial issue involving production of hospital records involving the physical examination of at least one of the victims. Shelton had many supporters seated behind him, with about half as many seated behind assistant district attorney Tracie Hobbs in support of the prosecution’s case against Shelton. Jurors were seated at 9:40 a.m. and informed again of the allegations against Shelton.
Opening Arguments
Opening arguments from both the state prosecutor and defense attorney provide key information concerning the contentions of each side in the case. Attorneys are generally given some degree of latitude to introduce certain arguments to the jury alleging facts of the case and testimony jurors will hear during the proceedings. Both the state prosecutor and defense attorney must use extreme caution in making certain statements to a jury. If an attorney claims to present testimony in support of their side and fails to do so, the attorney may lose credibility with the juror and ultimately lose the case.
In any criminal trial, the state must prove its case to win a guilty verdict. Gwinnett county assistant district attorney Tracie Hobbs began trial proceedings this morning with a compelling opening argument. Hobbs described how 6-year-old Emma and her two younger brothers, 3½-year-old Michael and 1½-year-old Ryan, were removed from their biological parents and placed in foster care in 1994 with the Shelton foster family. In their biological home, Emma cared for her two younger brothers. The children were in the custody of Georgia’s child welfare agency due to their parents’ drug and alcohol use and issues of neglect.
In the Shelton foster home, Hobbs told jurors the children “flourished,” claiming the home environment was “strict, but a good home.” Emma was a good student, participating in typical extracurricular activities including gym and cheerleading, while her younger brothers were encouraged to play sports.
Hobbs told jurors Emma was often shown affection by Shelton. Hobbs explained Shelton would send Michael and Ryan to bed while he allowed Emma to stay up and sit with him on the couch. While Shelton’s wife, Lynn, was either away from the home or in the master bedroom, Hobbs told jurors Emma was subjected to significant acts of molestation and sexual abuse. Hobbs stated the abuse began as simple touching of Emma’s genitals above her clothing, and later progressed into more serious acts of sodomy. The acts occurred so frequently during the five year period of time Emma and her brothers were placed in foster care with the Shelton’s, that Emma told investigators, “If I wrote it down on my calendar it would be full.”
Hobbs took the opportunity during her opening argument to inform jurors of some hang-ups with the state’s case. Hobbs told jurors, “You will hear inconsistencies,” something one might expect when dealing with allegations of child sexual abuse. Hobbs told jurors the first police investigation, completed by Gwinnett county police department detective Abercrombie was “bad.”
Hobbs claimed Ronnie Shelton gave Emma more privileges than Lynn and showed the young girl special attention. Hobbs told jurors the molestation of Emma occurred on a weekly basis, and the child endured the abuse for more than five years. Hobbs claimed Emma didn’t immediately tell anyone about the abuse because it was her life, she loved the Sheltons, and knew her brothers loved Ronnie Shelton too. Emma’s brothers, Michael and Ryan, wanted to be adopted by Ronnie and Lynn Shelton. Instead, the three siblings were adopted by the Morgan’s, a couple with six biological children wanting to adopt a special needs child.
Hobbs continued her opening arguments telling jurors the children returned to the Shelton foster home for respite visits and enjoyed trips to the Shelton’s Lake Ocoee cottage. On these visits, however, Emma claimed the molestation continued.
Hobbs told jurors Emma first disclosed the sexual abuse to her high school boyfriend during a telephone call in 2003. Emma’s boyfriend, Andrew, told Emma to tell her parents about the abuse. Emma did not immediately follow her boyfriend’s advise until nearly one month later when, following a dispute between Emma and her adoptive mother, Emma claimed Ronnie Shelton had molested her.
Emma’s adoptive mother reported Emma’s outcry to her local child welfare agency office. An investigation of the matter began. Ronnie Shelton, whose wife had recently reported to the child welfare agency an outcry of sexual abuse made by another foster child placed in their home, was later interviewed by the Gwinnett County Department of Family and Children Services for his own acts involving Emma.
Emma’s younger brothers initially denied any inappropriate conduct by Shelton during their five-year foster care stay. However, Hobbs claimed Ryan later told his older brother Michael that Ronnie Shelton had forced him to perform an act of sodomy on only one occasion.
After nearly 40 minutes of commanding the jury’s attention, Hobbs concluded her opening argument at 10:26 a.m.
Defense attorney Douglas N. Peters began his opening argument telling jurors that 54-year-old Ronnie Shelton was a good man. He’d spent his life around kids, was not wealthy, went to church, has been married for 35 years, was a high school graduate, and does not drink, smoke or do drugs. Peters told jurors when kids don’t get what they want, they say things that are untrue. Peters claimed the detectives in this case only want a conviction to win and often believe children don’t lie.
Peters used a display chart to show jurors a timeline of important events occurring during Ronnie Shelton’s involvement with Emma, Michael and Ryan. Peters claimed he must prove something that did not happen. Peters claimed day care, child welfare agency and other individuals want to testify about Ronald Shelton.
Peters told jurors after Emma, Michael and Ryan were adopted and left the Shelton foster home, 20, 30 or 40 other foster children who’d been placed with the Sheltons said nothing ever happened to them. Angered by Peter’s insinuation to the jury, Hobbs objected and the parties were called to the judge’s bench for a sidebar. Judge Hamil ruled against Hobbs’ objection after Hobbs argued a bell had already been rung.
Peters continued his opening argument by instructing jurors to “use your own judgment and common sense.”
Revealing the theme of his criminal defense in this case, Peters told jurors that “something happened at school and no one knows what,” that Emma’s then-15-year-old boyfriend, Lee Stewart, was involved in some incident at school reported to be something like a “Columbine”-type incident in planning. When the heat got turned up in the matter and Emma was implicated in having some role, Peters told jurors she made an outcry claiming sexual abuse by Shelton to take the attention off herself. Peters further claimed Emma made up the allegations because she wasn’t getting her own way.
Peters was somewhat dismissive of Ryan’s allegation of child molestation against his client, rhetorically asking jurors, “Why is he remembering now?” Peters told jurors that Emma, Michael and Ryan’s adoptive family were talking about the abuse often in their home.
Pointing blame at the poor law enforcement investigation, Peters told jurors even Detective Clemmons failed to record his interview of the children, a standard protocol when investigating allegations of child sexual abuse.
Peters concluded his opening argument by asking jurors to “evaluate what is said and I am sure you will return a verdict of not guilty.
The court recessed at 11:35 a.m. for lunch.
Fireworks in the Courtroom
As the trial resumed at 1 p.m., assistant district attorney Tracie Hobbs told Judge Hamil that defense attorney Doug Peters violated case law by saying no other children claimed to have been molested by Ronnie Shelton. When Judge Hamil disagreed, Hobbs responded by telling the court it’s hard to unring a bell. Judge Hamil allowed Hobbs and Peters to step out of the courtroom to work out their differences. Ten minutes later, Hobbs and Peters returned and the proceedings continued.
Facing His Accusers
Emma, now 18, took the witness stand this afternoon and provided a teary description of the various child sexual abuse acts committed upon her by Ronnie Shelton. Shelton listened intently to every word. Emma described various inappropriate acts occurring in the Shelton’s family room, master bedroom, master bathroom, yard shed, Shelton’s pickup truck and in the church parking lot. Jurors were expressionless while listening carefully to Emma’s testimony. Emma recalled in graphic detail certain words spoken by Shelton during many acts of molestation. Emma concluded her direct testimony by explaining how she returned to the Shelton foster home to babysit other foster children after having left to be adopted with her brothers.
After completing direct examination, Peters began a short cross-examination asking Emma certain questions about her recollections of the alleged abuse, eliciting Emma’s reply, “I can’t remember.”
Ryan, now 13, took the witness stand following his older sister and told jurors how Shelton asked him to perform acts of sodomy on him. Ryan claimed he did not immediately report the abuse because he loved Ronnie and didn’t initially remember the acts. When asked if he’d rather not be on the witness stand, Ryan responded, “Yes ma’am.”
Defense attorney Doug Peters cross examined Ryan in a few short minutes. As Peters approached Ryan by rolling his podium nearer to the witness, Ryan began to cry. Peters asked Ryan if he could remember the two investigators he spoke with about the abuse. Peters reminded Ryan of his first interview with detective Abercrombie, in which Ryan said he could not remember. Peters reminded Ryan how he claimed no one had touched him inappropriately. However, Peters’ question was irrelevant and unrelated to Ryan’s claim of abuse. Under direct examination by Hobbs, Ryan told jurors Shelton forced him to perform an act of sodomy on him, not that he had been touched inappropriately by anyone as Peters implied. Using this line of questioning, Peters demonstrated to the jury that he questioned the child and received a reply consistent with Peters’ claim that no abuse ever occurred. However, savvy jurors will likely detect the error in Peters’ questioning and understand Ryan never claimed he had been touched inappropriately, but rather, that he was forced to touch someone else inappropriately. Peters completed his cross examination of Ryan by asking him about his memory of the abuse, claiming the acts were alleged to have occurred in 1995 when Ryan was only 2 years old. “How do you remember that when you were only 2?” Peters asked. Ryan had no other answer than, “I just do.”
Debunking Credibility of Emma’s Boyfriend
Though any impact Emma’s boyfriend’s testimony may have had in this trial is minor at best, prosecutor Tracie Hobbs called 18-year-old Lee Stewart to the witness stand. Hobbs asked Steward to recall his telephone discussion with Emma some three years ago when Emma claimed she told Lee about her sexual abuse by Ronnie, and Lee encouraged Emma to tell her adoptive parents. Steward confirmed the same.
Defense attorney Doug Peters fired back under cross examination, asking Stewart to recall his first interview about this case. When Stewart told jurors he had only been interviewed about any of this only a week earlier by district attorney investigators, Peters asked the teenager if he drank alcohol or used drugs. Peters reminded Stewart of his visit with Peter’s own investigator at Stewart’s house. Steward recalled the visit, telling jurors his father ended the interview and threw the investigator out of their home. Peters sought to discredit Stewart and to minimize any value his testimony may have offered the state’s case.
The court ended the trial proceedings just before 5 p.m. today.
What’s coming up?
The State of Georgia will continue to call witnesses and present its case against Ronald William Shelton on Friday.
Learn more about this true life trial of the child molestation case by checking this website daily and clicking on each day’s new link.
Have a question?
Did our coverage of this trial exclude something you find very important? E-mail 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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