Georgia teacher found not guilty at 'dirty dancing' trial

Decatur, Georgia (CNN) -- A former high school chorus teacher was acquitted Wednesday of criminal charges in connection with a suggestive dance routine students performed in his classroom in 2008.

Ending a two-day trial in Georgia's DeKalb County State Court, jurors found Nathan Grigsby not guilty of five misdemeanor charges of contributing to the depravation of a minor.

Grigsby's supporters, who filled one side of the courtroom, erupted into cheers outside after the verdict was read.

"I'm very excited and glad to see justice prevailed," Grigsby said. "I put my faith in God that the jury would see the truth, which is the way I told it."

more . . . http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/31/teacher.dirty.dancing.verdict/index.html?hpt=Sbin

I don't know what to think about this. I would certainly never allow this under my supervision. But is this teacher at fault for anything other than dumb judgment?

"Criminal behavior" and "behavior that should never happen in the classroom".

The second category includes the first, but also quite a bit more.

It's dumb and I know I would never do this. But should he have lost his job over this?

on how good a dancer he is. :)

On edit - I looked up an earlier story. It appears that he wasn't the one dancing and it happened while his back was turned (playing the piano), and that he apparently stopped it when he found out. Kids filming inappropriate behavior that the teacher doesn't participate in isn't grounds to fire him if there's no reason to believe that he knew or could have known.

"is this teacher at fault for anything other than dumb judgment?"

and I responded that it doesn't sound like it.

I did not say "dumb judgement" was not involved.

you make it read as if the first statement is demonstrated by the second.

I was just pointing out that this isn't the case. Failure to be convicted of a crime is not evidence that behavior was limited to poor judgement.

plenty of dumb behavior that is far from criminal . . . and some that is nearly criminal.

This was definitely dumb. I was a teacher in public/private schools for a number of years. You don't let your guard down for a second. Too many eyes on you at all times. To make matters worse, I coached during all those years. So my exposure was doubled if not tripled. No room for error as a teacher.

was it bad judgment on the teacher's part?

that's certainly an arguable yes

but CRIMINAL?

ridiculous

"I do think what they did in that classroom is wrong, and they need to be held accountable."

You think it's wrong. Great, that's your fucking opinion. It doesn't entitle you to use the power of the state to go on some ridiculous witch hunt over nothing.

I seriously think we should bar anyone who has been a prosecutor for more than 3 years from holding higher public office. It would cut down on these ambitious make-a-name-for-yourself charges.

...from someone with the name "pothead" ???

Otherwise, I agree.