Y
Yang, AthD (h.c)
Guest
Yep, that vaunted Christian moral superiority
http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071127/NEWS/711270313
Ex-Immaculata coach's sexual assault trial begins today
By MICHAEL DEAK
STAFF WRITER
The trial of former Immaculata teacher and girls basketball coach
Pamela Balogh is scheduled to begin today in Superior Court in
Somerville.
Balogh rejected a plea offer in July from the Somerset County
Prosecutor's Office that would have landed her in state prison for up
to eight years. Balogh, 40, of Bethlehem, Pa., is accused of having
sex with a female student at the parochial school in Somerville.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin today in the courtroom of
Superior Court Judge Edward M. Coleman. James Wronko, Balogh's
attorney, said the trial will continue until next week.
Balogh, who left Immaculata to become a teacher and coach at North
Hunterdon High School, could face up to 40 years in state prison. She
has been suspended from the district.
Balogh was arrested Dec. 14, 2006, and indicted on charges of
first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault,
third-degree charges of aggravated criminal sexual contact and
endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree criminal sexual
contact.
Under the plea agreement she turned down, Balogh would have pleaded
guilty to the first-degree charge but would have been sentenced as a
second-degree offender. Wronko has said Balogh rejected the deal
because she believes she is not guilty.
During a pre-trial conference in July, Wronko said the student has
told prosecutors that the relationship was consensual. The Immaculata
High School student came to school officials to report alleged
assaults she said began in December 2004 and continued through
September 2005, Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest said.
The school notified the Diocese of Metuchen, which immediately
reported it to authorities, Forrest said.
The student told authorities that most of the incidents took place in
Balogh's office at Immaculata, officials said. The arrest affidavit
states the alleged assaults also occurred at other unspecified spots
in Somerset County.
Balogh resigned from Immaculata High School in September 2005 as a
successful girls basketball coach. At the time of her resignation,
Immaculata Athletic Director Pierce Frauenheim said Balogh left on
good terms with the school, its administration and her players.
Under Balogh's guidance, Immaculata reached the finals of the Somerset
County Tournament seven consecutive seasons, including five straight
championships from 1998 to 2002. Overall, the Spartans appeared in the
county finals 10 times during Balogh's 12 seasons, winning seven
times.
Balogh is a graduate of North Hunterdon High School and was a member
of the North Hunterdon High School girls basketball team that won 83
straight games and three consecutive Group III titles. She went on to
have a successful career with the Temple University women's basketball
team.
--
Yang
a.a.#28
"I can hardly wait for your head to explode when the Repubs hold onto
both houses of Congress this November. And Yang can quote me on that."
-Fred Stone, 6/14/2006
http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071127/NEWS/711270313
Ex-Immaculata coach's sexual assault trial begins today
By MICHAEL DEAK
STAFF WRITER
The trial of former Immaculata teacher and girls basketball coach
Pamela Balogh is scheduled to begin today in Superior Court in
Somerville.
Balogh rejected a plea offer in July from the Somerset County
Prosecutor's Office that would have landed her in state prison for up
to eight years. Balogh, 40, of Bethlehem, Pa., is accused of having
sex with a female student at the parochial school in Somerville.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin today in the courtroom of
Superior Court Judge Edward M. Coleman. James Wronko, Balogh's
attorney, said the trial will continue until next week.
Balogh, who left Immaculata to become a teacher and coach at North
Hunterdon High School, could face up to 40 years in state prison. She
has been suspended from the district.
Balogh was arrested Dec. 14, 2006, and indicted on charges of
first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault,
third-degree charges of aggravated criminal sexual contact and
endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree criminal sexual
contact.
Under the plea agreement she turned down, Balogh would have pleaded
guilty to the first-degree charge but would have been sentenced as a
second-degree offender. Wronko has said Balogh rejected the deal
because she believes she is not guilty.
During a pre-trial conference in July, Wronko said the student has
told prosecutors that the relationship was consensual. The Immaculata
High School student came to school officials to report alleged
assaults she said began in December 2004 and continued through
September 2005, Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest said.
The school notified the Diocese of Metuchen, which immediately
reported it to authorities, Forrest said.
The student told authorities that most of the incidents took place in
Balogh's office at Immaculata, officials said. The arrest affidavit
states the alleged assaults also occurred at other unspecified spots
in Somerset County.
Balogh resigned from Immaculata High School in September 2005 as a
successful girls basketball coach. At the time of her resignation,
Immaculata Athletic Director Pierce Frauenheim said Balogh left on
good terms with the school, its administration and her players.
Under Balogh's guidance, Immaculata reached the finals of the Somerset
County Tournament seven consecutive seasons, including five straight
championships from 1998 to 2002. Overall, the Spartans appeared in the
county finals 10 times during Balogh's 12 seasons, winning seven
times.
Balogh is a graduate of North Hunterdon High School and was a member
of the North Hunterdon High School girls basketball team that won 83
straight games and three consecutive Group III titles. She went on to
have a successful career with the Temple University women's basketball
team.
--
Yang
a.a.#28
"I can hardly wait for your head to explode when the Repubs hold onto
both houses of Congress this November. And Yang can quote me on that."
-Fred Stone, 6/14/2006