Stacy Schuler, Ex-Teacher Accused Of Sex With 5 Students, Hears Supporters Testify

LEBANON, Ohio — Former students of an ex-high school teacher accused in southwest Ohio of having sex with teen boys testified at her trial Wednesday that she was a supportive advocate who kept appropriate boundaries.

Mason High School graduate Tyler Walton, now of Fort Myers, Fla., said defendant Stacy Schuler offered a helping hand after his mother died and he struggled with sexual orientation.

"Ms. Schuler was kind of like my surrogate mother throughout my high school career," he testified before Warren County Common Pleas Judge Robert Peeler. "She helped me realize I am an amazing person and my life is worth living."

Schuler, 33, is accused of having sex with five students, some football players, at her Springboro home in 2010. She had been a teacher and athletic trainer at the school since 2000. Earlier this year an anonymous tip triggered an investigation by administrators.

She has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Her lawyers argue she had medical and psychological issues and doesn't remember the alleged incidents and that students took advantage of her. She could go to prison for decades, if convicted.

Five teens have testified to having sexual encounters with Schuler, saying she had been drinking alcohol at the time and was a willing participant who initiated much of the contact.

On Wednesday, Schuler received hugs in a full courtroom from students who came to testify on her behalf.

Madison Ewing, now of Kentucky, cried on the witness stand when she told how Schuler helped her through a tough time.

"She really helped me bounce back from what happened to me," said Ewing. "She never turned anybody away. I could go into her room in panic mode almost and she had an instant way of calming you down."

Mason graduate Daniel Santos said the teacher helped him through depression and a drug habit.

"It is safe to say had it not been for her, I may very well not be here today," he said.

Two former Mason students on Tuesday had testified for the prosecution, saying Schuler had devised a plan to enter an insanity plea before she was ever charged.

"She said if anyone found out, she had her defense planned out and she was going to say she was insane," said Katie Degrazia.

Brittany Doria testified Schuler said she planned to plead insanity caused by an abusive husband and divorce.

One of the alleged victims has testified that Schuler was remorseful, but changed after bringing out alcohol

"It was kind of a surprise," he said. "It all happened after she brought out the alcohol and things got a little different."

It's likely the trial will wrap up Thursday. Schuler is not expected to testify.

Comments

[williamwilliam2]

04:28 PM on 10/31/2011

These stories are widely publicized to change public opinions in favor of the teacher in an effort to tear down any remaining moral standards. The harsh treatment of the teacher is suppose to make people feel they should just be set free because they are sick women. Once female teachers are permitted to do what they want, it will be allowed for any women or male teacher of any sexual orientatio­n, in the name of equality.

[Ghost Grey]

02:27 AM on 10/31/2011

I am looking at that one trying to see the fantasy. Get your eyes checked, scary.

[D Q]

01:52 AM on 10/31/2011

I watched this trial today and was a baffled at the speeches by the parents. One man was crying while reading a statement about his 16 year old son. Who after having sex with the gym teacher was now antisocial and reserved. This act had scarred him for life.

People get over it, it was sex between 16 year old boys and a woman. This is not a child with a pedophile, or an old man having sex with a preteen or young teenage girl, these were young men who got the chance to have sex with a teacher. If you took a poll of 1000 high school boys, 1001 of them would tell you they fantasize about at least of their teachers. Getting to have sex with a teacher to them would be a dream come true. The 17 year old high school football player is not the victim here, he is probably have sex all the time with his classmates, it is the poor teacher here that is the victim. She is so pathetic, she can not find a proper date or sexual partner and has to use her position at the school to find sex. She reminds me of the fat ugly men that go to Thailand and Philippines to meet girls because they can't get any in their home country......

[been2there]

03:27 PM on 10/30/2011

If she had sex with students, she is guilty of sexual misconduct and should pay the price. Period.

[foresure]

11:02 PM on 10/29/2011

"Mason High School graduate Tyler Walton, now of Fort Myers, Fla., said defendant Stacy Schuler offered a helping hand after his mother died and he struggled with sexual orientation".

I'll bet she did.

[James Inman]

07:47 PM on 10/29/2011

Here's another tidbit. The boys were 17 at the time and the age of consent in Ohio is 16. And she gets four years in jail and at the very least 6 months for good behavior. I guess it's against the law in Ohio to have any fun.

[James Inman]

07:25 PM on 10/29/2011

As a life long die hard liberal this is one subject I have never been able to wrap my brain around. If we are to be open, accepting of diversity, sensitive to gender differences, homosexuality, bisexuality, gender identity and a whole host of women's issues, why is it people can't understand why heterosexual males just want to have sex? We like it. It's all we think about. What is so wrong with that? Why is this even a court case? I have really really tried hard to understand why this is supposed to be wrong but I can't for the life of me see it. Every argument here on the side of the law and those poor boys and PTSD and they're going to be scarred deep down inside somehow just makes me chuckle for some reason. I don't get it. I probably never will. And I'll also add women will probably never understand men either. You'll never get why most of us see this as a joke.

[Dayne]

08:03 PM on 10/30/2011

Well, if the History teacher was sleeping with your daughter and alcohol was involved, how would you feel? This isn't about age, it is all about power. By your definition, sexual harassment shouldn't be an issue in the workplace, after all, I'm just having fun. There are very specific reasons for non-fraternization, or is this different because the students are males.

[KingGlorious]

03:22 PM on 10/29/2011

In the picture here, she looks kinda sad. And where is the officers hand? I don't seee it !

[sibyl9]

12:58 PM on 10/29/2011

Teachers and preachers - really got to watch these groups.

[indiecratublican]

03:26 PM on 10/30/2011

Any authority figure. Our guard is let down around them, especially when we trust them, and so it's easier for them to take advantage.

[Dahloan Hembree]

07:52 PM on 10/28/2011

As a ex teacher, I know students who don't like a teacher will make up all sorts of lies about her. Seriously, why would a young boy want to have sex with their PE teacher? And if she was drunk, wasn't it them having sex with her? Shouldn't she charge them with rape?? Wonder why big strong young men, football players, ' let themselves get raped." To get out of trouble with their parents, for having willing sex with an adult, and possibly raping her - they cried rape themselves! Think about it. Bottom line is, whatever went on, as a teacher, she should not have had them in her home - even innocently. We were never allowed to have students in our home. If they came by the house, we would talk to them outside in our driveway.

[Fractal122635]

08:38 PM on 10/28/2011

Huh? Wow, talk about straining credibility. She doesn't deny the sex, she says she was drunk. The defense does not dispute she got the kids high and drunk. So let's see, she brings young boys into her house, corrupts them with booze and pot, has sex with them, and your only problem is her having students in her home? What would you say if this was a male teacher accused of the same thing?

[92102]

05:39 PM on 10/28/2011

As someone who at 18 (out of school with a job and my own apartment) who had an on-going affair with a 36 year old woman, I always have mixed feelings about these cases and wonder if a double standard may be appropriate. Teen girls and boys are wired differently and develop emotionally and sexually at different ages. Males tend to hit their sexual peak at 17-20, females at 30-35. Males tend to attach less emotion to sex than females. As such, I (my opinion only) tend to see teen girls that have sex with adults more as victims than teen boys in similar situations.

All that being said..... Teachers that cross the line and engage in physical contact with students have no place in the classroom. The difference, however, is how the issue is resolved. I would have to say that all of the facts, including the level of maturity of the students needs to be factored in when deciding if and at what level criminal prosecution is warranted. One size doesn't always fit all.

And yes, I know this will generate some discussion and I am sure condemnation, but life isn't always black and white.

[Cacey]

09:27 PM on 10/28/2011

Good post and one worthy of discussion, but as a gay man who denied it for decades, what are your feelings about getting naked and aroused with some of your buds? As a man who is not into the idea of multiple sex or orgies, how do you feel about this group thing? No, I will not condemn you in any way but you will admit that it is a unique relationship you have and like any relationship you have, have had, and will have, it will impact you.

[indiecratublican]

03:28 PM on 10/30/2011

So very very true. But the inclusion of alcohol and drugs to minors while participating in these activities made this case very black in my opinion.

[RCnDC]

04:55 PM on 10/28/2011

Only 5 boys lined up to get F's? I always tried to get A's, but I suppose I now know why... M+M = Me :)

[RCnDC]

04:48 PM on 10/28/2011

Really huffpo - a heterosexual pedophilia story in GV's? Perfect gasoline for the GOTP...

[squiddydoo8]

03:53 PM on 10/28/2011

Ooooh look at the mug on her. Definitely not what young high school boys crave. They got hot young beautiful fresh young girls to pick from. Why would THEY go out of THIER way to go for THAT??? She threw her life away for what??? What an idiot.

[CunningStunts]

12:46 AM on 11/18/2011

She's a female and a teacher, don't sound so surprised.

[thebearclaw007]

02:42 PM on 10/28/2011

Well, after reading all the comments, I can understand why some people receive preferential treatment from the justice system and others do not. Shameful!