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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September 15, 2006 previous day's entry
DAY 5: TESTIMONY CONTINUED AGAINST FORMER FOSTER PARENT
By Erik A. Cooper
WARNING: Some readers may find the content of this story disturbing. Discretion is advised.
Testimony continued today in the criminal trial of former foster parent Ronald William Shelton. Shelton is accused of nine counts of child molestation and aggravated child molestation involving two of his former foster children. If convicted, Shelton faces up to 230 years in prison.
Victims’ Brother Takes the Stand
Assistant district attorney Tracie Hobbs resumed testimony against Shelton by calling Michael Morgan, brother of alleged victims Emma and Ryan Morgan, to the stand. Michael, now age 15, told jurors his younger brother Ryan told him one day that he had been forced to commit an act of sodomy upon Ronnie Shelton. Disturbed by Ryan’s disclosure, Michael told jurors he told his brother to tell their mom and dad. Instead, Michael said Ryan told him he was kidding. Months later following a pretrial motions hearing in the matter of the State of Georgia vs. Ronald William Shelton, Ryan again alleged he was forced to commit an act of sodomy (using different words to describe the alleged crime) upon his foster father, Ronnie Shelton.
Defense attorney Douglas N. Peters cross examined Michael and asked if Ryan does not tell the truth. State prosecutor Tracie Hobbs objected to Peters’ question, forcing Peters to reshape his question. Peters’ tactful choice to rephrase his question prevented a ruling against him by Judge R. Timothy Hamil and allowed Peters to get a suggestive statement before the jury without being admonished. When asked again in a different manner, Michael told jurors that Ryan does not have a good reputation. Michael said, “he has lied sometimes.”
More Family Witnesses
State prosecutor summoned 12-year-old Andrea Morgan, whose name has been changed to protect the alleged victim’s identities, to the witness stand and asked her to explain to jurors how she came to learn of Ryan’s allegation of sexual abuse. Andrea told jurors Ryan approached her one day and said his former foster parent, Ronnie Shelton, forced him to commit an act of sodomy upon Shelton. Under cross examination, Andrea said she and other children in the Morgan household heard her parents say something about sexual abuse involving her adoptive sister, Emma. Defense attorney Doug Peters elicited whether or not Andrea had been interviewed by anyone before testifying today. Andrea said she had spoken with state prosecutors before giving her testimony today.
Scorn Mother Testifies
Adoptive mother Melissa Morgan, whose name has been changed to protect the alleged victim’s identities, testified this morning in rapid succession, anxious to tell jurors her side of the story. Her words so fast, in fact, Judge Hamil asked her to slow down to allow the court reporter to capture her words for the transcript. Morgan replied, “I have a lot to say.” Morgan was hostile toward the defendant, casting scornful glances his way.
Morgan told jurors she spoke with her adoptive daughter, Emma, about dating. During the discussion, Morgan claimed Emma, then about 15, made a sudden outcry and said her former foster parent, Ronnie Shelton, had molested her. Morgan explained “it was serious and it was real.” Morgan claimed Emma told her the acts of molestation were consistent and not just one time. Morgan glared at Shelton, telling jurors Emma said Shelton’s wife, Lynn, didn’t know the molestations occurred.
Under cross examination, defense attorney Doug Peters asked Morgan about an incident at school involving a murder/suicide plot similar to a “Columbine”-type incident. In her response, Morgan asked Peters, “Where did you get this, from outer space?” and denied any such incident ever occurred. Peters continued by asking Morgan about an incident involving a verbal dispute between Morgan and Emma about a boy Emma had become fond of at church. Morgan told jurors the incident never happened. Peters asked Morgan about journals which coincidentally disappeared. Peters had earlier filed legal motions demanding production of the materials. Morgan admitted to snooping through her children’s backpacks and diaries, reading notes passed between her children with others at school. Like the other notes she had found over the years, Morgan claimed she may have thrown them away.
Things heated up when Peters asked Morgan why she refused to allow his defense investigator to speak with Emma. Morgan told jurors she didn’t want to talk to Peters’ investigator and have her answers misconstrued. Peters concluded Morgan’s cross examination by asking her, “The truth is the truth?” to which Morgan did not respond.
Police Investigation Called Into Question
State prosecutor Tracie Hobbs called Gwinnett county police detective Abercrombie to the stand to testify in the case. Abercrombie told jurors she’d worked as a police officer for 15 years, but later acknowledged under cross examination that her investigation involving alleged victim Emma Morgan was her first. Essentially, Det. Abercrombie corroborated Hobbs’ opening statement and explained to jurors her comments made by Shelton during her interview with him. When asked by Peters what was Shelton’s reaction to the investigation, Abercrombie replied, “flabbergasted,” to wit Peters looked up the word in a dictionary and explained its meaning. Peters took apart Det. Abercrombie’s investigation by pointing out a minor discrepancy between Abercrombie’s arrest warrant and the actual indictment. Claiming no physical evidence of any harm to Emma was indicated in her medical records, Peters asked Abercrombie why she told Shelton there was physical evidence of injuries to Emma’s genitalia. Abercrombie told jurors police can lie to suspects they interview, making her seem less credible.
The proceedings concluded this afternoon with Hobbs showing jurors several video recorded interviews involving Shelton, alleged victim Ryan, and Ryan’s brother Michael. The interviews were conducted at the Gwinnett County Police Department.
What’s coming up?
On Sept. 18, state prosecutor Tracie Hobbs will resume presentation of the state’s case against former foster parent and accused child molester Ronald William Shelton. Hobbs indicated she plans to call one additional witness and to show more video footage.
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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