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 20, 2006 previous day's entry
DAY 8: DEFENSE CONCLUDES ITS CASE
By Erik A. Cooper
WARNING: Some readers may find the content of this story disturbing. Discretion is advised.
Following an explosive day of testimony and a near mistrial on Tuesday due to a breach in the rules of sequestration by the adoptive parents of alleged victims Emma and Ryan, the trial of former foster parent Ronald William Shelton continued today with the defense calling more witnesses to prove Shelton’s innocence. Fifteen of Shelton’s supporters filed into the courtroom this morning and took their seats along benches situated directly behind the defendant’s table. Shelton, 53, was accused of nine counts of child molestation and aggravated child molestation involving two of his former foster children he and his wife provided care to for more than five years. Yesterday, the state dropped count four of the indictment when the alleged victim, Emma, acknowledged one of the alleged sexual abuse acts never occurred.
Former Child Welfare Case Worker Testifies
Defense Attorney Douglas N. Peters called his first witness to the stand this morning, former Gwinnett County child welfare worker Liz Watson. Watson’s fixed grin never left her face while she testified in a soft tone. Watson proudly told jurors that she held a position referred to as “The Terminator” in her former position with the Gwinnett County Department of Family and Children Services. Watson explained the position was called “The Terminator” because of her responsibilities were to terminate the parental rights of biological parents so their children could be made available for adoption. A 22-year veteran of the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, Watson now works as a program administrator for the Cherokee County (Georgia) Department of Family and Children Services, supervising other case workers supervisors. Watson has held the position for the past 2½ years.
Watson told jurors she was the foster care case worker for alleged victims Emma and Ryan Morgan, and their non-victim brother, Michael. Watson said she’d visited the Shelton home regularly and had many opportunities to speak with the children individually, away from the Sheltons and their home, while shuttling the children to counseling appointments. Watson said she got to know the Sheltons well and was in “constant contact” with the children.
Watson testified the children were provided psychological care by Dr. Nancy McGarrah of Cliff Valley Psychologists. Watson described McGarrah as “one of the best” psychologists in the area. Watson told jurors the children were happy with the Sheltons. When asked if she’d ever seen anything inappropriate between Ronnie Shelton and the children, Watson answered, “No, never.” When asked if she specifically inquired of the children whether or not anything inappropriate was going on in the Shelton home, Watson told jurors “yes” and indicated nothing was reported by the children.
“I typically don’t testify for the defendant,” Watson told jurors. Watson’s neck turned red and her face became flush toward the end of her testimony. On cross examination, Assistant District Attorney Tracie Hobbs had no relevant questions to ask and missed an opportunity to question the defendant’s own witness regarding Shelton’s claim to jurors yesterday that he was never alone with any of the children during the more than five years Emma, Michael and Ryan were placed in his care.
Childcare Workers Praise the Defendant
The defense called three childcare employees who claimed to have seen Ronnie Shelton interact with his foster children and told jurors nothing inappropriate ever occurred.
Defense witness Tammy Harvell testified she worked as director of a day care center in the 1990s when Emma, Michael and Ryan were enrolled there. Harvell claimed to have spent time with the children and never had concerns that any of them were victimized by Shelton. Harvell told jurors she saw the children exchange hugs with Shelton when he dropped them off or picked them up from the day care. Contrary to Shelton’s own testimony, claiming he was never alone with the children, Harvell told jurors Shelton came to get the kids at the end of the day, that the kids were excited to see him and anxious to go home. Harvell testified when she asked young Emma what she wanted for Christmas one year, Emma replied, “to stay with the Sheltons.”
On cross examination, Hobbs failed to ask any questions of substance, and completely missed an opportunity to ask the witness about her claim of Shelton picking up and dropping the children off at day care, alone.
Defense witness Sue Maddox was employed at the local YMCA and supervised the group’s after school program. Maddox told jurors she was specially trained to spot signs of sexual abuse, and as a mandated reporter, would have notified her supervisor if she suspected Shelton had abused any of the kids. Like the witness before her, Maddox told jurors Shelton would bring the three kids to the YMCA. Maddox reported to jurors she noticed a change in Emma’s attitude when Emma learned the Sheltons did not want to adopt them. Maddox thought the Shelton’s lack of interest to adopt the siblings was due to Ryan’s hyperactivity. Maddox told jurors Emma started her feminine “cycle” while at the YMCA.
Again, on cross examination, state prosecutor Hobbs failed to ask the witness if Shelton had dropped the children off or picked them up from the YMCA by himself.
Neighbors and Friends
Peters continued his client’s case with calling Shelton’s neighbor, Mike Davenport, to the witness stand. Davenport told jurors his son played football with Shelton’s youngest son, Brandon, since the eighth grade and into high school. Davenport said he’d seen the Sheltons interact with Emma, Michael and Ryan at football games and practices, but never saw anything inappropriate occur.
On cross examination, Hobbs asked the witness if he’d been inside the Shelton home every day, implying the allegations occurred inside the Shelton home in the evenings. Davenport replied, “no.”
Amanda “Nicky” Lee, the now 25-year-old ex-girlfriend of Shelton’s middle son, Chris, testified she’d been inside the Shelton family’s home and around Emma, Michael and Ryan for nearly 4½ years while the children were in foster care there. Lee told jurors she’d ridden in a car alone with Emma while transporting a fish tank from the Shelton’s home to her own. The two had “girl talk,” Lee claimed, but Emma never alleged any abuse by Shelton. Lee also told jurors she babysat for Emma, Michael and Ryan, and when asked about Shelton’s relationship with Emma, Lee told jurors they “appeared to be a very normal loving relationship.”
Under cross examination by Hobbs, Lee explained a more specific time period when she was involved with Chris Shelton and the Shelton family. After counting years and dates, Lee admitted she began dating Chris Shelton during her 1996-1997 sophomore year of high school, thereby acknowledging she was not around during the time period from 1994 to 1996 when the Shelton’s were foster parents for Emma, Michael and Ryan. Lee also admitted that when she was around, she was not inside the Shelton home every night.
Peters concluded his friends and family defense parade with Barbara Bruce, a church member at Shelton’s Oakwood Baptist Church. Bruce told jurors she sat behind the Sheltons at church and could observed everything that went on as the family sat only two pews ahead of hers. Bruce told jurors she went on church trips and participated in a Christmas play with the Sheltons and their foster children, but never saw anything inappropriate between Ronnie Shelton and the kids.
Under cross examination, Bruce told jurors that Emma was “very protective of her brothers.” Bruce also admitted she had not visited the Shelton home every evening from 1994 to 1999. After being excused by the court, jurors watched Peters shake hands with Bruce and pat her on the shoulder.
The defense’s final fact witness was almost-the-adoptive-parent Larry Laughlin. In January 1999, Laughlin and his wife began visitations with Emma, Michael and Ryan for adoption. Laughlin told jurors the children visited his home every weekend. Laughlin told jurors the children were so attached to the Sheltons, they sabotaged he and his wife’s efforts to adopt them. The kids, who according to Laughlin fought to stay with the Shelton family, “jinxed” the Loughlin’s adoption efforts.
Under cross examination, Laughlin admitted that Emma was “very motherly, very protective of her brothers.” Laughlin continued to explain that Emma denied herself her own happiness to protect her brothers.
Expert Opinions
Following the court’s lunch break this afternoon, trial testimony resumed with the defense calling forensic interviewer Amy Morton to the witness stand. Morton, who came to Gwinnett County hearing from Macon, Georgia, told jurors the interviews of Emma, Michael and Ryan were tainted by “suggestibility” and “co-opting,” a term used to describe the impression of an alleged victim made by his peers to “go along” with a story. Morton explained the interviews were bad, not objective, tainted with influential interview techniques, and garnered false confessions of crimes. Hobbs objected on several occasions, alleging Peters was “leading” the witness’s testimony. Morton said the jurors that younger brother Ryan was “co-opted” into becoming a victim by his older siblings whom, as an 11-year-old “tween,” he sought acceptance from.
Hobbs cross examined Morton’s testimony and asked her if bad interviews can still yield true results. Morton answered rhetorically, “They can, but how would you know?” When Hobbs asked if some victims never tell of their abuse, Morton acknowledged this was “true.” When asked by Hobbs if some victims do well in school even if they’ve been abused, Morton replied, “true, but atypical.” Hobbs asked Morton about another Gwinnett County child molestation case Morton she was involved in where there were no signs of abuse, but jurors concluded that abuse had occurred. Peters missed this opportunity to object to Hobbs’ question, leaving great influence on the jury. Hobbs closed her cross examination by asking Morton, “You can’t say that Ryan and Emma were abused?” Morton answered, “no.”
Peters tried to rehabilitate his witness by asking Morton questions about the children’s treatment with Dr. McGarrah, visits with Liz Watson, and concluded that neither Emma nor Ryan reported anything to these individuals.
Psychotherapist Tells Jurors Children’s Interviews Tainted
Locally renowned psychotherapist Dr. Nancy Aldridge testified this afternoon about the proper conduct of child sexual abuse interviews. Aldridge, who treats patients at Georgia’s Center for Children, touted to jurors her qualifications and professional credentials for more than 15 minutes. Aldridge told jurors how proper interviews are conducted in child sexual abuse cases. Aldridge said she found “many mistakes” in law enforcement’s interview techniques in this case.
Under cross examination, Hobbs asked Dr. Aldridge if children have different coping mechanisms. Aldridge replied, “yes.” When asked if “children can overcome [sexual abuse] and excel at school,” Aldridge again responded, “yes.” When asked if it is true that “children often love the abuser, just not the abuse,” Aldridge again answered “yes, that is correct.” Hobbs concluded her examination by asking if Dr. Aldridge would agree there are “occasions when no one would ever know a victim of abuse because they never disclosed.” Aldridge answered, “true.”
Forensic Pathologist Claims Allegations Do Not Substantiate Evidence
Forensic pathologist Dr. Kim Collins came to Georgia from Charleston, S.C., to testify in this case. Dr. Collins provided certain testimony of a highly sensitive nature concerning her medical findings involving the alleged victim. Based upon the graphic nature of the allegations and Dr. Collins’ testimony, our publication has withheld printing certain details of Dr. Collins’ testimony today. In summary, Dr. Collins indicated the allegations made by alleged victim Emma were not consistent with her review of the medical findings.
Under cross examination, Hobbs asked the witness if it was possible to have no scars or trauma following a certain type of abuse. Dr. Collins answered, “yes.” Dr. Collins also agreed with Hobbs that it was possible to have no residual evidence of sexual abuse if the defendant’s attempt to penetrate the child was unsuccessful, or if such penetration occurred only once. Without knowing a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (“S.A.N.E.”) examined Emma and had already testified at trial, Dr. Collins agreed with Hobbs that SANEs are qualified experts in the arena of child sexual abuse.
Under redirect by Doug Peters, Collins stated 60 percent to 85 percent of victims of sexual abuse have trauma, such as tearing, and some have scars.
Defense Rests Its Case
The defense rested its case this afternoon at 3:57 p.m. The court acknowledged the case had progressed much quicker than expected. Judge Hamil concluded the day’s hearing with review of the jury charge instructions with both counsel. Judge Hamil advised jurors he would arrive late to court tomorrow due to a personal meeting scheduled at his child’s school. Some jurors were visibly displeased with Judge Hamil’s decision to delay the trial for personal reasons. Judge Hamil instructed the jurors to return to court tomorrow morning at 9:45 a.m.
What’s coming up?
Since both the state and defense have rested their cases, tomorrow’s hearing may begin with rebuttal witnesses or closing arguments from both sides of the case. The jury is expected to be handed the case for deliberation either Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.
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? 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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