Charges dropped against Debra LaFave in Marion County

Debra LaFave had just found out the Marion County state attorney dropped three charges against her. So she doesn't have to stand trial and risk a prison sentence on allegations she had sex with a 14-year-old student in Ocala in June 2004. LaFave says she is recovering from a bi-polar disorder. Debra LaFave, Sex Offender: "Mental illnesses are real and how they can cause good people to do bad things." [...]

Debra LaFave: "The past two years have been hard on all parties involved. I pray with all my heart that the young man and his family will be able to move on with their lives." LaFave thanked family and her new fiancée for their unconditional love and support. And LaFave admits she was nervous about a trial. Debra LaFave: "As you can see my face has been plastered on every internet address, every new outlet, and that's not easy. It's not easy feeling the guilt and the remorse and having my own family suffer for my actions."

LaFave is already serving three years house arrest, followed by seven years probation in Hillsborough County for having sex with the same student in her classroom and in her home.

[Reaction by Lindsay on Girl Chat (www.annabelleigh.net/messages/347245.htm):] It's quite easy, really. Every male involved in this process - the judge, the prosecutor, the bailiff and all of their support personnel - had a single thought: "Shit, I would have given anything to have sex with a teacher that looked like her when I was fourteen..." Unless they had managed to get an all-woman jury, they would have wound up with a mistrial. End of case.

source: Article 'Charges dropped against Debra LaFave in Marion County' by Dave Balut; www.tampabays10.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=27615; Tampa Bay's 10 News; 22 March 2006