Fanjul says he wants 'peace' for his accuser

BOUNTIFUL — Jose Bernardo Fanjul says he feels compassion for his former student who testified that they had a secret sexual relationship.

"I wish her well," Fanjul said Monday of the 16-year-old girl. "I wish her peace."

Seated beside his wife, Angela, at a relative's home, Fanjul said the past 10 months have been "a highly educational experience," as well as "months of turmoil" that ended Friday with a judge acquitting him of all charges.

On Sept. 8, 2008, Fanjul took part in a television show highlighting teachers who had created special lesson plans commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Friends phoned with congratulations about the show. He and his wife were trying to have a baby, they had bought a house, they loved their LDS Church ward, and he was doing what he loved best — teaching.

"My life was ideal," Fanjul said.

But the next morning, he went to work at West High Schooland in short order was led out in handcuffs, eventually facing 10 counts of illegal sexual activity and a four-day trial.

"It took one person to turn my life upside down, and it took another person, Ken Brown (his defense attorney), to bring our lives back on track," he said.

"I feel very fortunate to live in a country where we have a system that really works," said Fanjul, a Venezuelan native who became a U.S. citizen. "I have been afforded many opportunities — I just love this country. I will celebrate this July 4 like it's 1776."

Fanjul, 46, and his wife observed their seventh wedding anniversary Monday, but did nothing special because they had not planned beyond the trial.

"We were very hopeful and didn't think he would be convicted, but it was very scary," Angela Fanjul said.

After her husband was arrested, his bail was set at $200,000 cash-only, which means the defendant must come up with the entire sum instead of the 10 percent typically paid using a bail-bond company. He spent 15 days in jail and, in time, friends and relatives pledged their property so he could be released. He was put on unpaid administrative leave from the Salt Lake City School District. Meanwhile, Angela Fanjul continued working at Salt Lake Community College.

Jose Bernardo Fanjul admits he is "an exuberant person" and has made a point to interact with students, but, he said, always with good intentions. For example, there was much talk at the trial about a lounging area in his classroom that held a couch, chairs, a small refrigerator filled with soft drinks and snacks. Students could do homework, talk, play "Guitar Hero" or just hang out there.