Tonya Craft becomes a lawyer to defend the falsely accused

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A courthouse ceremony today fulfilled a vow made years ago in another courtroom.

Nine years ago, a Catoosa County jury found pre-school teacher Tonya Craft not guilty of 22 counts of child molestation.

Many considered that trial a “witch-hunt” but it sent Craft on a mission.

On Friday, she was sworn-in as an attorney.

“So help me, God.”

And, with those words before Judge Christi Sell, Tonya Craft begins a new career as she promised when her trial ended in a not guilty verdict in 2010. That was in Catoosa county. She vowed to become a lawyer and fight for those falsely accused in cases similar to hers. Now, she thinks back to the day her life changed.

“The bailiff came over and she said, ‘You know like in life you have two doors. It’s kind of a metaphor,’ but in this she said, ‘If you get convicted, I’m going to handcuff you and finger print you and you are going to go out that door. And if not you and you’re attorneys will go out that door.’ I sat there and literally looked at the two doors. Whatever the verdict determined which door I was going to go out.”

That ordeal attracted media from all over the country and it took a heavy toll on her and her family.

Craft has spent the last few years publishing a book about her experience, attending law school and consulting on other court cases around the country . She also served as an intern in the office of the Hamilton county district attorney.

“It kind of acts like closing one book and opening another book and beginning to write this book. So I love teaching and I’d love to be teaching today, but I’m not and so now it’s the start of a new career. I am blessed and honored to be able to do it,” Craft said.

“It’s marvelous that somebody can overcome a phony allegation. An allegation that was created by rumor and bad feelings and anger. And not only over come it but triumph over it,” Demosthenes Lorandos said.

Friday’s swearing in ceremony will become part of a six episode documentary. It will focus on her vow to defend those falsely accused of child molestation. The production will continue for the next few months.

In the meantime Craft and her team have set up offices in the Edney Building.

But for now, it’s time to celebrate.

“It’s kind of like back then when the verdict came down and this weight was lifted. It’s like a weight has been lifted and now I can truly can move on to the next part of my life,” Craft said.