A former Brunswick County teacher charged with having sex with a student won't face trial after marrying the victim.
The StarNews of Wilmington reports (http://bit.ly/XLMA8z) 42-year-old Leah Gayle Shipman pleaded guilty to a lesser misdemeanor charge of resisting a public officer.
Court records show Shipman divorced her husband of 19 years last year and six days later married 17-year-old student Johnnie Ray Ison. His mother signed documents allowing him to marry while a minor.
The marriage prevented prosecutors from compelling Ison to testify against Shipman. A spouse can't be forced to testify against the defendant in most criminal cases.
Shipman taught at Brunswick County Academy when she was arrested in January 2009 on charges of sexual offense with a student, statutory rape and taking indecent liberties with a student.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Current Conditions
Most Viewed
- Arrest Made In Austin Baeza Fatal Hit & Run
- POLICE: Driver Causes Three-Vehicle Wreck, Runs From Scene
- DEPUTIES: Woman Holds Up 'Call 911' Sign For Passing Motorists
- Armed Robbery At Greenville Home
- POLICE: Bear Wandering Through Downtown New Bern
- Atlantic Beach Hotel Reopens After Damage From Irene
- ECU Sends Out False Twitter Alert Saying Armed Intruder On Campus
- CAUGHT ON DASHCAM: Man Admittedly On LSD Tazed By Officers At Ayden Walmart
- Jacksonville Woman To Train As NASA Astronaut
- POLICE: Cat Dies After Being Shot By Arrow
Most Commented
powered by Disqus
Click one of the pictures below to see more or to upload your own photos and videos.
Sunrise over Swanquarter
Sunrise in Swanquarter
Approaching storm
Sunset in K-Town
storm clouds.
Clouds
Upload your images, or browse our other albums.
Special Sections
All Blogs
275 E. Arlington Blvd. Greenville, NC 27858 252-439-7777
