Reader comments
Moab teacher faces second sex abuse trial

what the heck | 1:07 p.m. Oct. 27, 2008

is going on here...how did andersen step out of bounds exactly?

Anonymous | 1:58 p.m. Oct. 27, 2008

exactly....i'd like to know that too.

Whining and manipulative abuser. | 2:33 p.m. Oct. 27, 2008

She will get her day in court...again.

And she will get convicted...again.

Manipulative and weak...That is all this manipulative abuser is. The original evidence was overwealming, but the star witness is dead now. The only reason that the abuser got this far is that she has highly paid attorneys who now have the advantage of a dead witness.

The situation is tragic from every angle.

The evidence was clear: The kid was abused. Now, the accused gets to walk clean and clear.

Comments continue below

Larry | 3:18 p.m. Oct. 27, 2008

I have a friend that is being charged with the same crimes as the teacher in this article. I feel very strongly that he is innocent. In my friend's case all it is, is the word of the girl against his. In cases like this the court will convict off just one girl's testimony and it doesn't care about evidence. My friend even passed apolygraph but the court won't admit it. It is very common for a minor to fabricate charges to get their way in something. I can't say if this is the case with this story, it appears she was molested. If you are a male in Utah and are charged with something like this, plan on going to jail, because you have to prove you didn't do it, abd how do you do that?

Observer | 5:44 p.m. Oct. 27, 2008

Sad situation either way. I'm married to a victim of child sex abuse and have seen the ugly results of that horrible crime.... The victims include me and my children and grandchildren, although none of us ever met the perpetrator.

On the other hand I knew a teacher who was accused, fired, divorced, excommunicated, and ostracized from neighborhood friends, then years later the girl confessed she had made up the charges because she didn't like the grade she got in his class. How do you undo that damage? YOU DON'T. The teacher eventually committed suicide....The only justice will be in God's hands.

justiceshallprevail | 10:29 p.m. Oct. 27, 2008

People, not only did the kid say something happened to her at school, and off of school grounds, but there were numerous witness's according to past articles. I just googled it. This kid didn't have a chance. I also seen the Montel Williams show about a year ago on this case. Man, the kid was knockout beautiful. Teachers, other kids, etc. seen this woman with the kid. They reported it, and it fell onto deaf ears with the school. I know sometimes innocent people get accused of this crime, but folks, not in this case. Let's support the victims here, please. Afterall a jury of our peers already found her guilty. And if the judge swayed the jury, then why did they find her "innocent" of the big one, the felony one count, for lack of evidence? Points to ponder, right?

Julianne | 10:52 p.m. Oct. 27, 2008

It's easy to comment on an article in a newspaper. You have no idea what you're talking about. Anderson is in over his head as a Judge in general. This case is just one of many that he's displayed irresponsible behavior. Alot of people in Moab, who know both families, have their own "truth" about this. But to convict a young woman to 48 years in prison for 'stalking' is not only absurd, it's Stupid. We, in Grand County, are voting NO to Anderson's retention. Not Just because of this one case, but certainly, it's on the list of Stupid procedure by Anderson.

What is wrong with everyone? | 11:05 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008

So when did this tragic story turn into a "vote or not to vote" for Anderson? And to answer your question if you consider kissing, touching and sexual contact ï¿½stalkingï¿½ then yes she should get 47 yearsï¿½ Did you go to the trial and hear the overwhelming evidence? Arielle would have been found guilty without Andersonï¿½s questioning. In my opinion he did Kelly an injustice for asking those questions and giving Arielle a loop hole for a new trialï¿½ She will be found guilty AGAIN even without Kellyï¿½s testimony because of all the EVIDENCE. If this was a MAN we would lock him up and throw away the key.

Sharon | 12:52 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008

I have lived in Moab for 30 yrs and have known the Sowell family for most of that time. I admire their courage for not giving up and praying that the wheels of justice will turn in their favor. No one can imagine what they have been through. I sat through the whole trial the first time. I am open minded but the evidence convinced me of Arielle's guilt. I feel Judge Anderson did a good job and the real failue was in the decision of the Utah Supreme Court. I am looking forward to seeing that justice prevails for Kelly and her family.

Lyra | 6:35 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008

Ah, Julianne, she wasn't given 48 years for stalking. She only received one year for stalking, right. Read the papers. Judge Anderson gave her 45 years for 3 counts of raping a child while in a position of trust. Gee, I wonder if you would feel the same if it were your child or grandchild? ummmmm,,,probably not.

Don't judge... | 12:59 p.m. Nov. 3, 2008

I would Diddo the words of Larry in this case. Remember people, there are two sides to every story. You have heard one side! I have heard the other. I was actually at the Becks home during one of the events that she's accused of. I was there. and there was No Kelly(RIP). Arielle was always trying to pick people up. Kelly has been suicidal and unstable for years. She should have got help, along with many of her Family. Not put on Montel Williams!!

Strikeforce | 3:25 p.m. Nov. 15, 2008

This should be interesting. To don't judge? You sound like you are judging. From what I have read the kid didn't try to commit suicide ever until after she met this teacher. And frankly i would be a little crazy to if I had to endure everything the family has had to. And so would you. So, don't judge, take your own advice!

A childs life | 3:31 p.m. Sept. 13, 2009

was at stake here. I see no wrong in the families putting this on the Montel Williams show. For it showed the ugly true side of sexual abuse. If it stopped one person, one teacher, one coach from doing the same thing, then it was worth it. I think the family has showed tremendous strenght and I for one don't know where they get it from. To judge the Sowell family to me is an absolute sin itself. This family, this mother, what she has had to endure is commendable. God bless you Kelly's mom. Julianne,,,where did you ever come up with 45 years for stalking, every article I have read never said for stalking? Get real and learn the facts. You are blaming a judge in reality for what another person did. Let's hope your children are always safe from an abuser. And if not, perhaps you owe an apology to the Sowell's and to the Honorable Judge Anderson? I know this is late, but I have reading up on this tragic case. As it is a topic of Moab wherever I go. Courage, strength, and faith to you.

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