Judge denies motion to dismiss charges against ex-Cobb teacher
by Kathryn Dobies
kdobies@mdjonline.com
July 01, 2010 12:00 AM | 2658 views | 7 7 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend | print
MARIETTA - A Cobb Superior Court judge denied a motion to dismiss last week in the case of an ex-Cobb music teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student in 2008.

Steven Martin Parkman, 34, an orchestra director at Harrison High School for four years, was arrested in April 2008 for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student. The felony charges against Parkman include sexual assault of a person in custody and sodomy and carry a prison term of 10 to 30 years. Parkman was released from Cobb County Jail the day after his arrest on $35,000 bond.

Parkman's attorney, Noah Pines of Ross and Pines, LLC in Atlanta issued a motion to dismiss the charges based on the unconstitutionality of two Georgia laws regarding sexual assault and sodomy, the charges against Parkman issued by the district attorney. Judge Ken Nix denied that motion on June 22. Rusty Knox, an assistant district attorney will be prosecuting against Parkman. Pines did not return phone calls or e-mails regarding the case on Wednesday afternoon.

In December 2009, parents of the teenager, who is now in college, alleged that Parkman tried to intimidate their daughter into continuing the relationship.

The next possible jury trial date for Parkman is set for July 12 at 9:30 a.m. in Nix's courtroom, although trials are often postponed.
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When
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July 05, 2010
Again, I do think the teacher is a freak of nature. But the charges should be lewd behavior. Look at the Powell case.
anonymous
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July 03, 2010
It's up to a jury to decide whether Parkman committed a crime, but the Professional Standards Commission(PSC)-the state board that deals with educators' ethics- has revoked Parkman's teaching certificates. The PSC's executive secretary, Kelly Henson, was quoted in the MDJ stating, "Consent has no bearing on the fact that we consider it completely and totally unethical.

I agree with Henson. It's mentally twisted to me to even attempt to consider a child's consent in sexual scenarios invoving teachers. As a teacher, I hold all of us that teach and work with children to a higher Judge. This Judge- calls it a sin. There can be no defense for an unexcusable act!

I have no tolerance for teachers that do not remove themselves from children and the profession forever at any moment they find their minds allowing such thoughts. Don't forget it. Don't rationalize it. Don't dismiss it. Don't challenge it with your willpower, your ethics, your morals, your notions of superiority above such things that only a weakling, an idiot, and the morally depraved and mad would fall to.

Just get the hell out of the school, the classroom, and away from children forever! Seriously, forever. F-O-R-E-V-E-R! Go get help, find your spiritual thing, whatever, that's your thing, just do whatever- forever- away from children.

Law Now
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July 01, 2010
Parkman should be able to beat the rap. The law is unconstitutional since the Georgia Supreme Court decriminalized private sodomy between two consenting adults (Powell v. State, 270 Ga. 327).
If he wasn't a teach
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July 01, 2010
It'd be totally legal! 16 is legal in GA! Couldn't wait that one last year!
Face the Music
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July 01, 2010
Judge Nix studied the facts on both sides and ruled accordingly.

Nix wrote in his order that the alleged acts took place in a room attached to the orchestra room at the high school and in the parking lot of a public library. "The court hereby finds that these areas are public areas in which the defendant did not have a right to privacy to engage in these alleged sexual acts,"

"Moreover, the court agrees with the state of Georgia that there is no place on the grounds of a public high school that was designed for persons to have sexual intercourse."

This case is focused on the public aspect of Parkman's encounters.
Retiree1
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July 01, 2010
to "When": where does it say in the article that Nix "made up laws" in this case? Sounds like the laws are in the Georgia Code, and the defendant's lawyer unsuccessfully argued that they are unconstitutional. He can always appeal Nix's decision, but it is unlikely to be overturned if the laws are on the books.
When?
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July 01, 2010
Not that I agree with the 34 year old pervert but Nix's decision is very flawed. He can't amke up laws to go after weirdo's no matter how appealing it might be. When did politics play into judicial decisions?
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