Sanders found guilty of all charges in child sex abuse trial
Duane Sanders shortly after learning he was found guilty of 15 child sex abuse charges.
UPDATE: Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp issued a statement on the verdict in the Duane Sanders trial late Thursday evening.
She said:
“The Heroic Seven.
Tonight, a Hamilton County jury returned a verdict in the most profound criminal trial that I have ever had the opportunity to be a part of.
Seven young boys, who had the misfortune of being in Duane Sanders’ first grade class, took a witness stand to speak their truth. Seven young boys had the courage to look their abuser in the eye and tell a jury of 12 strangers what that monster did to them. Seven young boys marched into a courtroom full of people and became the heroes of their own story. They were articulate, kind, respectful, honest, and strong. None of them wavered. None of them hesitated. Absolutely iconic.
The parents of each of the boys had to decide whether they would allow their child to participate in the prosecution. It was left up to them. A decision that no parent ever contemplates having to make. And now there are few people that I admire more than the mothers and fathers of the heroic seven. They stuck with us for over two years. They stayed the course. They relentlessly supported their children. To their parents, thank you.And then there are the prosecutors. The trial team poured their hearts and souls into this case for the past two years. Prosecutors Stephani Brown, Nicole Evans, and Roger Layne were successful on this case because they cared so much. They didn’t want to just try the case… they wanted to be a part of the story of the heroic seven. They wanted the boys to feel safe. They worked hard to earn the trust of each child. Prosecuting isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. Thank you, Stephani, Nicole, and Roger for caring so much about justice for the boys.Rose Kehinde is my lead victim/witness coordinator who walked alongside the families from day one. Trial wouldn’t have been possible without the attention and care she gave to each family and each little boy. She was made to be an advocate for victims and I am so grateful for her passion.If you know me, you know I don’t like to focus on defendants. My office works hard for victims, not defendants. But this defendant deserves a special shoutout. Duane Sanders preyed on little boys in the worst way possible. He was in a position of trust. He reeled them in. He manipulated them. He tricked them. And then he took advantage of them.But Duane Sanders messed with the wrong little boys.
It doesn’t matter how much time, how many resources, how many hours, how many days of trial, or how many prosecutors it takes… if you prey on our kids you will find yourself exactly where Duane Sanders is tonight.”
“So proud of General Wamp and team along with law enforcement and the Children’s Advocacy Center. Thank you for Being a voice for our children. This is a win for our community. Holding perpetrators accountable makes our children and families safer.”
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- After nearly 10 hours of deliberation and a week of heart wrenching testimony, a Hamilton County Jury finally returned a verdict in the Duane Sanders child sex abuse case.
Duane Sanders was found guilty of 15 counts of child sex abuse as a former first grade teacher at Wallace A. Smith Elementary School.
These charges include one count of aggravated child rape, and seven counts each of child sexual abuse and continuous child sex abuse.
With these convictions, it means Sanders could face life without the possibility of parole in prison.
Sanders showed little emotion while the verdicts were read, and was escorted out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
Several of the parents and prosecutors were visibly emotional after verdicts were announced.
The prosecutors nor the defense were available for comment after the verdict was read.
The jurors made their decisions based off of the testimony of seven children.
In their testimonies, they testified that Sanders would inappropriately touch them while sitting on his lap inside of his classroom.
The defense put up seven character witnesses, who all described Sanders as family.
However, the jury was ultimately convinced by the Prosecution’s argument that all seven of the children’s testimonies lined up, painting a web of sexual abuse.
The sentencing hearing for Duane Sanders will be held in August.
