RINGGOLD, Ga. - The trial of a former Chickamauga, Ga., kindergarten teacher charged with child molestation has ended for the day after opening statements by the prosecution and defense.
The state began this afternoon with Catoosa County Assistant District Attorney Lynn Gregor saying that all three of the alleged victims complained about defendant Tonya Craft at separate times.
"The actual truth can be cruel," Mr. Gregor told the jury. "(But) it's the truth for our community that you're here to find."
After about 30 minutes, the prosecution turned the floor over to Ms. Craft's four attorneys.
Defense attorney Demosthenes Lorandos opened by saying the state left out many facts in the case.
"It didn't happen. It couldn't have happened the way they said it did," Mr. Lorandos said.
Ms. Craft faces 22 counts of child molestation, aggravated sexual battery and aggravated child molestation in the case involving three children.
Testimony before Judge Brian House in Catoosa County Superior Court will resume Wednesday morning.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.