Ex-teacher gets new trial in child-sex-abuse case

A former Moab schoolteacher accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl was granted the right to a new trial following a Utah Supreme Court ruling that her trial judge overstepped his judicial boundaries while questioning her on the witness stand.

On Friday, the Supreme Court agreed with the Utah Court of Appeals' decision in May 2006 that granted Arielle Beck, 26, a former teacher and softball coach, a new trial. Both appellate courts found 7th District Judge Lyle R. Anderson overstepped the line of impartiality when he posed 48 questions to Beck while she was on the witness stand, possibly influencing the jury as a result.

With the high court's decision, Beck could be tried again, depending on whether the prosecution will pursue charges.

"This is a complex case," said Karen A. Klucznik, assistant Utah attorney general. "We (the prosecution) are seriously considering the possibility of retrying her."

Klucznik also said prosecutors need to consider the emotional impact a new trial will have on the family given that the victim is now deceased.

Beck is accused by state prosecutors of "grooming" the girl into having a sexual affair with her. The two met while Beck was an assistant coach for the teen's softball team in the summer of 2002. They exchanged letters and e-mails, some of which were love letters, according to investigators.

Beck volunteered as a teaching assistant in the girl's English class when school resumed, and the two were seen together on numerous occasions by classmates and other staff members. The teen's mother became concerned when she found a love letter from Beck sent to her daughter.

After contacting the school's principal, who also confirmed other staff members' concerns about the relationship, Beck was banned, and a restraining order was sought against her by the girl's parents.

Beck was sentenced to serve three consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison for forcible sexual abuse and one year in jail for each additional misdemeanor count of stalking and providing alcohol to a minor. She is currently serving in the Grand County Jail.

If prosecutors decide to try Beck again, they will have to provide a transcript of the victim's testimony, as the young woman committed suicide in November 2005, two years after Beck was sentenced.

The defense could not be reached for comment.

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E-mail: nhale@desnews.com

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