Former Teacher Of The Year Appears In Court

Sorry, this video is no longer available

Another court hearing for Aaron Knodel, the former North Dakota teacher of the year He’s accused of having sex with a student in 2009 and faces five counts.

Knodel’s defense filed a motion to compel his former student’s medical records.

“She has been diagnosed with mental health issues that pre-date these allegations allegedly occurring in 2009,” says Knodel’s attorney Robert Hoy.

The defense believes mental records could play a key role in this case.

“Does she have difficulty remembering what may have happened five years ago for the same reasons? Does she have difficulty reporting or testifying today about what may have happened or the details of what may have happened five years ago as a result of either her mental health condition or the medications that she’s taken?” Hoy says.

According to Hoy, the former student says that the alleged relationship led to mental health issues. But the defense says there may have been psychological problems before the suspected incidents in 2009.

“If you read the report it makes it sound as though it’s directly attributable to his actions,” says Hoy.

But the alleged victim’s attorney, Jonathan Byers, disagrees.

“She told four of her friends about this in the month or two following the end of the sexual relationship so it’s not a question of now wondering can she still remember.”
Both sides will have until next Wednesday to prepare briefings on their medical record requests,” says the prosecutor Jonathan Byers.

At that point, the judge will decide if he will allow all of the medical records. As for the alleged hand written notes between Knodel and his former student they will be discussed in another hearing on March 9th.

Knodel is facing up to 35 years in prison on the charges. He was suspended from teaching in August. The trial is set to begin on March 26th.