Document text
Ex-teacher faces 2nd charge Lees arraigned on sex abuse By CHRIS BRISTOL A former Central Point teacher has been accused of molesting a second student at Scenic Middle School. And this time the charge is a felony. Tom Lees, 52, was arraigned Tuesday afternoon before Jackson County Judge Patricia Crain and TV news cameras on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, a Measure 11 crime that carries a mandatory sentence of more than six years in prison per count. Central Point police arrested the recently fired Scenic teacher Monday, after a former student said he lifted the back of her dress as she left the classroom one day last school year and grabbed her buttocks. The student, who was under 14 at the time, also told police that Lees similarly grabbed her three other times when she was wearing jeans and kissed her on the forehead and cheek on several occasions. The case came to the attention of Central Point police on Nov. 18, two days after Lees was arrested on misdemeanor sex and alcohol charges involving another Scenic student. In that case, Lees was accused of rubbing a girl's thighs on several occasions during the 1997-98 school year and then arranging an encounter with her earlier this year at a Medford motel. The alleged victim told police that on the night of March 26, Lees "brought" her and a friend to the Horizon Inn on East Barnett Road and plied them with drinks. She said Lees had a condom and intended to have sex with her. A police affidavit was unclear, but apparently the girls left before anything happened. Lees has pleaded not guilty in the case. No plea was entered Monday on the new charges. School officials fired Lees for "unprofessional conduct" on the day of his first arrest. He had taught eighth-grade social studies at Scenic for 15 years, and also coached girls basketball. Both victims were students at Scenic. According to Central Point school Superintendent Candy Manary, Lees was placed on paid administrative leave after allegations of his conduct surfaced in June. In court Tuesday, defense attorney Carl Caplan asked for a bail reduction. Lees was lodged on $1 million bail Monday night, and Caplan wanted it reduced to $50,000. Under Oregon law, defendants must post 10 percent of the bond amount in cash to be released. "He needs to work to make money for counsel," Caplan complained. Court records indicate Lees has been working for Cascade Wood Products in White City. Crain agreed to a reduction, but only to $100,000. Lees, who had just spent his second night in jail in less than two weeks, shook his head as the judge announced her decision. Caplan also asked for a preliminary hearing next week. Such a hearing will not be necessary if a grand jury issues an indictment first. Only a judge or a grand jury can force a defendant to stand trial on felony charges in Oregon. Judge Crain handled the case with permission from the defense. As a private attorney 10 years ago, she represented Lees' first wife in divorce proceedings. His second wife filed for divorce Oct. 21. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA