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Judge upholds jury's verdict against Schmitz U.S. District Judge Kristi DuBose, last week, upheld the guilty verdict of former Leroy High School teacher Charlene Schmitz, who was convicted of child enticement charges Feb. 22. The judge had been asked by Schmitz's attorneys to overturn the jury's verdict and find her not guilty, claiming that federal prosecutors presented insufficient evidence during the trial. According to media reports, Judge DuBose said in an written order that the law requires she give the jury "great deference," noting that Schmitz's victim testified that he communicated with the teacher via computer and cellular telephone. The teen, who was 14 at the time of the illegal communications, was a former student of Schmitz. During her testimony, the teacher denied all charges of an inappropriate relationship with the student. Her daughter also testified to the same effect. In last week's ruling, Judge DuBose said it was apparent that the jury gave more clout to the victim's testimony. She also denied Schmitz's attorney's request for a new trial. They attempted to claim the judge's decision to allow expert testimony of a child psychologist and computer forensics examiner was wrong. Schmitz's federal sentencing is scheduled for May 8.
A spokesperson from the First Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office said state charges are still pending.
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