I went back to court on Jan. 2 and tried to represent myself to the judge. When I arrived, the court room had been moved to another area of the court house which I was never told about and caused me to run late but I made it.
I did ok until Mr. O’Hale the attorney for the criminal started using legal law terminology that I couldn’t defend myself with. I tried to submit 16 items of evidence that included the webcam CD that was not allowed because “I” didn’t bring a computer for it to be viewed on. I was prepared with this the last time we went to court but the defense had it continued.
I also submitted pictures from the webcam that were allowed, statements from WRAL from the criminal that were not allowed. It was considered heresay including two doctor’s notes, two letters of character references, the webcam synopsis, and some others. The only items that were allowed besides the photos were my employee performance review done this year, the picture frame that the criminal holds in his hand while performing his sexual exhibition, my doctor’s records, a sample maintenance request form that is used for the only purpose a maintenance worker would have for going into someone’s office that he didn’t have, the can of empty hairspray that I never used but was seen being used by the criminal in the webcam that leads me to believe he has done this in my office on several occaisions, and a copy of my certificate of completion for a concealed carry permit that I received this year to give me some protection.
I ended up asking the judge to allow me to continue this case until I can get legal counsel and he (thankfully) allowed me to do that. The going rate for an attornye for me in Johnston County is $10,000 which I think is a little over kill. I have been told that Mr. O’Hale charges $600 an hour who is representing the criminal.
At this time, the only charge is “food tampering” against the criminal which is the lowest level of a felony. I have been trying to get stalking added to the charge but the DA’s office doesn’t see it the same way as I do. This criminal obviously has done this in my office more than once and he even came into my office in the webcam twice in the same day, he waited for me at my car two hours after his shift ended and after I had worked late to give me alcohol as a gift, he has made the comment to the college administrator the day after he was caught on webcam that I reminded him of his deceased wife and he also made this same comment this year in the WRAL interview, he followed me to the grocery store in Jan. of this year, and I have seen him riding by my house on 2 occasions this year and he has been coming back to the college where I work on multiple occasions this year and not to mention the verbal comments he has made to me.
In my opinion, the “food tampering” charge does not fit the crime and it does not address my safety towards this man. I am in great fear of him especially after seeing his actions in the entire webcam that he acted out his thoughts in his mind and that he could cause me bodily harm.
At the end of the court hearing, the judge directed me to get a lawyer. I told him that I have been trying very hard. I don’t understand how the criminal can get such a great lawyer but I am finding it very hard to do that in my own county that I serve as an educator. I have spoken with two other attorneys out of the county I live in but nothing has been finalized yet. I am hoping to retain someone this week if God is willing. All I need at this point, is a permanent restraining order against this man and it is taking an act of congress to get it done.
Any help that anyone would be so graciously to give, would be so appreciated!
God has really helped me and my family to get through this and I know there are angels on earth. God Bless you all!
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