Opinion ID: 1119858
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: testimony relied on at the hearing

Text: Our disposition of this case requires analysis of the evidence relied on by TSPC to deny petitioner's application for a teaching license. There was no direct testimony by Michelle or Leasa. The particular items of hearsay [13] (H) and hearsay within hearsay (HH) testified to by Deputy District Attorney Castner, Counselor Minette, and Officer Costelow, on which TSPC based its findings of fact, follow. [14]
Castner testified: Leasa told her that she (Leasa) stayed after school one day and that petitioner touched her breast, but I think it was an accident. (H) When she (Castner) asked Leasa why she ran to the door, Leasa said, I just wanted to get out, but the door was locked. [15] (H) Leasa said that petitioner told her (Leasa), Don't be scared if I do something  if I touch you in a way I shouldn't. (HH) Leasa said that petitioner unzipped his pants and dropped them, and that petitioner let her (Leasa) go when she kicked him. (H) The police report states that Leasa told the police officer that petitioner touched her in the vaginal area. (HH) When she (Castner) asked Leasa whether petitioner had ever touched her in the vaginal area, Leasa responded, I don't remember and I don't want to talk about it anymore. (H) Officer Costelow informed her (Castner) that school counselor Lori Minette had said that Leasa had said that petitioner talked to her and that Leasa was taking back what she said. (HH) On cross-examination, Castner admitted that before the grand jury, the only time Leasa was under oath, Leasa had no recollection that petitioner had touched her in her vaginal area.
Minette testified: Althea, a student, told Costelow that other girls might have had a problem with sexual involvement on the part of [petitioner]. (HH) Leasa told Costelow in her (Minette's) presence that when petitioner touched her breasts, she (Leasa) kicked petitioner and he said `okay, you can go,' and [that] he [petitioner] accompanied her toward the door and walked down the hall. (H) and (HH) Leasa told Costelow that she tried to go to the door but couldn't get out because the door was locked. (H) Leasa told her that what she (Leasa) had said about petitioner was not true and that she (Leasa) wanted the matter to be over for her. Later, Leasa told Costelow, however, that what she had told Officer Costelow was true. (H)
Costelow testified: Michelle said that petitioner touched her on the breast and buttocks. (H) Michelle said that Leasa told her that she (Leasa) had touching problems with petitioner. (HH) The police report he prepared stated that Leasa did not want to tell him what happened. (HH) Leasa wanted to recant her story about petitioner because petitioner told her that he was going to kill himself, overdose on sleeping pills, that he couldn't pay his rent. (H) Angela, Leasa's best friend, said that petitioner's attorney told her (Angela) that petitioner was having his visitation privileges concerning his son taken away. (HH) Leasa told him (Costelow) that petitioner urged her to recant her story about petitioner. (HH) A 25-page police report, prepared by Costelow, was received in evidence. That report summarized Costelow's investigation of the accusations against petitioner and included statements made by Michelle, Leasa, and other students. (HH)