(Tulare, California) Last month, 26-year-old English teacher, Elizabeth Stow, was arrested and charged with seven counts of having sex with a minor and five counts of oral copulation with a minor for incidents with three underage students. Yesterday, Stow appeared in Tulare County Superior Court before Judge Walter Gorelick and waived her right to a speedy preliminary hearing. Oddly, when Stow arrived in court, her mother held up a Bible to shield the former teacher. From what is not known.
Elizabeth Stow in Court
It seems that Stow's attorney, David Allen, is maneuvering for more time to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution. As more information about Elizabeth Stow filters out, it would seem prudent to do whatever is necessary to avoid a jury trial.
First of all, Stow was on probation for a drunk driving conviction when she was arrested and charged with the sex offenses. Secondly, immediately after graduating from college, Stow was hired to teach at Tulare High School, starting last September. Thirdly, the alleged sexual encounters with three students started at the same time she started teaching and lasted through October. So, it appears that Stow carried her college-student, party-hardy, irresponsible demeanor into the classroom and she cut some ponies from the herd and had them mounted before the first mid-term.
Obviously, having teaching credentials provides no assurance that a person is mature and responsible with an awareness of the law.
Stow goes back to court on June 3. In the meantime, she's free on $10,000 bail.
[Update 11/19/05]
Elizabeth Stow was sentenced to one year. Full report at link.
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