Deseret News | Fanjul says he wants 'peace' for his accuser

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Fanjul says he wants 'peace' for his accuser

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Cautionary tale | 12:10 p.m. June 10, 2009

This whole scenario should be a warning bell to men in general. Allowing yourself to be alone with someone of the opposite sex exposes you to potential danger. I had a scare 20 years ago when I worked in a shared executive suite situation. I was working late behind closed doors when the female manager of the facility delivered some documents she'd been working on for me. She laid them on my desk, then proceeded to snuggle her chest against my arm as she reached across me to point something out on the page. I very quickly got up to open the door and prepared to leave for home, even though I wasn't done with my work. She had mentioned before in group discussions that things weren't going well in her marriage. She may have been looking for consolation...I don't know. I worried for a long time that she would retaliate for my abrupt rejection of her come-on with some sort of accusation of impropriety on my part (stranger things have happened). Since then I have been careful to avoid situations like that where you'd be defenseless against an accusation.

Dear Freddie | 12:23 p.m. June 10, 2009

In This Country It supposed to mean they are innocent! However people like you will sit in the judges seat and persecute this man in spite of what the court says, and for that reason this man probably won't teach again! The higher judge in the next life will fix the fallable system here on earth, so just do what a good citizen is supposed to do, he was found innocent, HE IS INNOCENT! Deal With It! We may not like all things, but that is why we have the Constitution, that is why this country exists, and we have certain freedoms in this nation! O.J. was innocent too, yet he was hounded and hounded till they could peg something else on him to "Nail Him" on a cross. "If the Glove Doesn't Fit, You Must Acquit!" Guess what, IT DIDN'T FIT! People wanted to blame him, so they did, and didn't even try to find another? Maybe it was the guys "Gay Lover", but nobody ever even pursued that possibility. Sorry but he was found innocent, and you want to blame, so in YOUR mind he is guilty, and always will be.

Frank | 12:33 p.m. June 10, 2009

""Wasn't there suggestive E-Mails?

Just because a person is found not guilty in a court of law doesn't mean that person is innocent.""

Apparently what the media or seperate indivuduals opinionated as suggestive and what the Judge saw are two different things.
I agree that a verdict of 'not guilty' doesnt mean total innocence but it is worth a lot more than a verdict of "possibly guilty" from someone judging the case from their armchair at home from little snippets of opinuento and hearsay passed on from the media.

Comments continue below

Arthur | 12:41 p.m. June 10, 2009

"talking with this girl "three to 12 times a day at one point, conversations ranging from one minute to 61 minutes" heck you would think the conversations from the spyware software would have been enough"

Thats "evidence" from the eye of the reporter. What the judge actually looking at the information will think is much more reliable and complex. Certain questions have to be answered. Was it confirmed that it was really him? What king of log was it? Was it unedited information?

If they were instant messages, those "spyware logs" are easier to manipulate than playdo. I used to change those when I was a kid using notepad.

Anonymous | 1:05 p.m. June 10, 2009

The evidence was pretty compelling that something completely unprofessional was going on.

re: d @ 8:21 | 1:15 p.m. June 10, 2009

funny that you bring up how herrera might be innocent even though he plead guilty, while ignoring that fanjul might be guilty even though he was acquitted.

and, to "not asleep," just because a defendant is acquitted doesn't mean anything in terms of wrongdoing on the part of the victim. let's say you get robbed, some guy takes your wallet. if the thief gets off in court because there isn't enough evidence to convict, how would you like to be held liable for bringing charges?

Re: Maintain appearances | 1:16 p.m. June 10, 2009

Obviously, you've never been inside West High. It is so informal. Fanjul is one of many teachers that allows this kind of thing. There is nothing wrong with it. It just shows he cares.
I am so happy Fanjul was acquitted. I missed having him. He is such a wonderful man and teacher. He was always so kind and understanding and willing to help.

sad world | 1:36 p.m. June 10, 2009

It is such a sad world when we can't show any type of kindness without being called out of line. I went to highschool 20 years ago and had a drama teacher that would kiss all of us on the cheek to encourage us. He taught me more about life and doing my best than anyone else I have ever been taught by. It was not a sexual act, it was an act of love and encouragement. Why is everything sexual. It is a very sad world we live in!!!!!!!!! This man is just showing love and support to his students. He is not being sexual. Everything in life does NOT have to do with sexual things. Sometimes people show encouragement and kindness. Get your minds out of the gutter and this girl needs to get hers out too!!!!!!!

LCSW | 1:43 p.m. June 10, 2009

I also know JB and his wife, Angela. I believe that he violated many professional boundaries in his pursuit of "befriend" this victim of prior sex abuse by another teacher. Shame on them both.

Craig Williams | 1:45 p.m. June 10, 2009

I don't know the truth of this unfortunate matter, but the case did seem a bit weak when all the Prosecutors could present as solid evidence was an email saying he loved her.

If consensual sexual activity was taking place as often as was alleged, surely the investigators would have found some semen on the couch or on her clothes or some sort of solid evidence.

Instead, it seems the case just came down to his testimony versus her testimony and a possibly illicit email. You can't convict on that in a courtroom.

If there was more solid evidence, it has not been reported by the press, but I would be interested in hearing it.

Freddie | 1:51 p.m. June 10, 2009

@Dear Freddie

"HE IS INNOCENT!"

No, no. He was found not guilty.

"Deal With It!"

It's not my problem to deal with.

"O.J. was innocent too..."

No, no. He was found not guilty.

"Guess what, IT DIDN'T FIT!"

It didn't fit because he spread his fingers so it wouldn't. Besides, he's the one guy in a million that owned Bruno Magli shoes.

Concerned Mormon | 1:57 p.m. June 10, 2009

I would never let my daughters anywhere near his class!!

Anonymous | 2:00 p.m. June 10, 2009

It is ironic how some have turned the idea: "presumed innocent until proven guilty" into "presumed mostly quitly although aqquited".

@Friend of Fanjul | 2:31 p.m. June 10, 2009

That's exactly what Mark Hacking's friend said to the press. As a matter of fact he said that "Mark was a man of God". With all due respect to you sir, you do not know whether this man committed this act much less the thoughts and intents of his heart.

I still keep asking myself why this girl would make up such a thing. Why would this girl drag her herself and family through this ordeal? And why would she a accuse a man with such impeccable integrity? What does she have to gain? What is the motive? This is investigation technique 101.

Unless an overzealous someone was on a witch hunt planted the idea in her head, I can't think of a logical reason or motive she would create such a nasty hell for all involved.

I have seen and known those who can lie without detection, but I've never known someone to lie without a reason. Other than the exception above, it's always about vengeance, gain, jealousy, lust, or to cover up a crime.

Answer that one for me and I will get on the band wagon of supporting this man.

Regretful Situation! | 2:43 p.m. June 10, 2009

I personnaly went through basically the same senario. It was in the local paper and the whole ten yards. The word the media uses is "alleged" and that gets them off from any legal repercussions. But what it does is tie you to a crime that is alleged and in to many peoples minds you are guilty right then and there. I also was acquitted of the "alleged" crime but my family, friends and myself have lived with that lie ever since. I have had people that have never resumed their friendships with me since that time. I guess I have calast over now but it has never left my mind. It's so embarrassing to be accused.

page | 3:06 p.m. June 10, 2009

why can't you just put in the article that he loves the church that he belongs to instead of his LDS ward i am mormon but i bet that people who are not get sick of always reading about LDS this and that

Anonymous | 3:20 p.m. June 10, 2009

To Concerned Mormon: Quite a statement you made, "I would never let my daughters anywhere near his class!" Shouldn't you be worried about some of the predators that keep popping out of the woodwork at seminary classes and wards and other places of your faith? You can't keep children wrapped up in bubble wrap. My children were taught by Mr. Fanjul and he is an awesome teacher. To have a disturbed, I need attention, young girl accuse him of misbehavior is pathetic. Yes, Mr. Fanjul's teaching methods may be suspect, but he truly cares for all his students and does the things he feels will helpo them enjoy getting an education. And yes, he probably gives these students the attention that they are not getting from their own parents! Don't judge so harshly lest ye be judged!!

Freddie | 3:37 p.m. June 10, 2009

@!Craig Williams: "You can't convict on that in a courtroom."

True, but the school board might be interested to determine if he should keep his job or not.

Sad! | 3:44 p.m. June 10, 2009

That this man life and careers has taken a down turn due a false accusation of an individual who has been overlooked by the state health system, she should have taken some counselling sessions to deal with her mental state.She is crying out for someone to help her!

Mormon Woman | 3:59 p.m. June 10, 2009

Fantastic! I'm glad he was found innocent. Not every culture in the world operates like ours. Venezuelans are a friendlier and closer people than we are. He teaches and interacts with his students that way because that's the way he is! Notice that the hangout part of the lounge wasn't strictly for girls.

I wish people would stop enabling the misguided little girls to lie about something so serious. She only does it because it works. Many men DO take advantage of little girls, but there ARE little girls who take advantage of men because they can and they can get a LOT out of being the victim. I'm a girl and a victim of sexual assault and I find it personally offensive that there are people out there lying about something so serious. That is why many victims of rape are treated like they "deserve" what they got.

I am SO glad that this man was given his life back. Most of it. People like Concerned Mormon will continue to take it from him. Just because a troubled little girl with no morals felt like taking it away for personal gain. It makes me sad.

The Truth | 5:07 p.m. June 10, 2009

Come on Folks!!! She gave him, and he accepted, her thong underwear as a gift!! They were texting and calling each other up to 12 times a day!! Eye witnesses placed her at his house (while he was alone) several times! What else do you need?

Another Concerned Mormon | 5:09 p.m. June 10, 2009

Would you want a teacher who accepted, as a gift, a female student's thong underwear teaching your daughters?

I certainly wouldn't!

Homer | 6:50 p.m. June 10, 2009

The courts did their job as it is given to them. Now it is up to the State Office of Education to do their job. Fanjul certainly crossed professional boundaries and violated district and school policies. It may not be a crime for a court to deal with, but is certainly the responsiblity of the administrative authorities.

Despite the common sense "yuck" factor there are actionable offenses that he should be disciplined for. These were admitted and witnessed in open court testimony. Fanjul, along with many others today, have no respect for the discipline needed for education (can hanging out playing guitar hero really help with learning fractions or irregular Conjugations??). With that lack of respect how can we trust them to ever respect the rules and boundaries their profession requires?

I wouldn't want my children in his class not because I don't think he's a nice and cool guy. It's because I can't trust him.

He should get a job at a local Boy's & Girl's Club where he can hang out. He doesn't belong in a classroom because he doesn't respect it.

Amazing | 8:09 p.m. June 10, 2009

After dealing with our wonderful "system" it means nothing that this man was aquitted. Most often, evidence against the defendant isn't allowed because it could prejudice the case, while wonderful highly paid lawyers can berate the accuser, lie, and basically bully them while testifying. The real truth rarely surfaces in a court of law because justice may actually get served instead of someone's wallet. I personally feel sorry for the victim, because she has been victimized yet again by our "system". If this made it into the courtroom, lets face it, the man WASN'T doing his job...

Not buying it. | 10:00 p.m. June 10, 2009

Regardless of the verdict, I believe his behavior is inappropriate for a teacher. The frequency and length of these phone calls, etc. should never have happened. Even if there was no sexual activity (and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt), I think he was careless and to a degree callous in his actions with this young woman.

I think Homer wrote it best. This person did not respect the classroom. He should not teach again.

SS | 3:12 p.m. June 11, 2009

Hopefully "Prosecuting Attorney" was not a prosecuting attorney actually on the case. Commenting here would be highly inappropriate.

Abuse and Accusation | 3:44 p.m. June 11, 2009

There are two things perfectly clear:

1) Abuse happens regularly, and often times to females via males. It isn't punished enough, and the punishments are often light--like a slap on the wrist. I know from personal experience. Most people look the other way and the victim is victimized twice.

2) Men (and sometimes women) are falsely accused by liars who are begging for attention. It scares me to death that my friendly, loving, perfectly harmless husband would ever be accused of something inappropriate. So we have RULES. Never be alone with a child that isn't yours, wife takes the babysitter home, don't have friends over to play with your children unless wife is home, no sleep-overs.

Good teachers are rare and a blessing to society. Unfortunately the creeps out there have taken away kind gestures like hugging a child when s/he is sad (which would be 80% of high schooler's days). Thanks, creeps, for that.

Tangents | 4:22 p.m. June 11, 2009

Some of the comments are tangential nevertheless it is all important and interesting.

As suggested above (344pm) different people are reacting about different things. I didn't see and hear the trial so I can't make any comment. I remember cases though where the typical prejudice of courts in favor of children and women, means they can often abuse the system and harm people, and never have to pay the consequences.

If judges, juries and people generally would learn to be objective and just, we would not be in this judicial mess. There are also cases where guilty defendants go free.

However I agree with the cautions expressed above. As long as things are as they are and people are so swayed by emotions and prejudice it is best to never be alone with a woman, or child of either gender, including teenagers. Before you marry be careful that whoever you marry is just and of good character. Take some time in evaluating your friends and aquaintances.

The courts need to be reformed, after a quarter century of dubious cases, to be blind to age and gender and meticulous and wise in assessing evidence.

Re: Prosecuting Attorney | 8:49 a.m. June 13, 2009

That's why he was acquitted...because there is NO evidence. Props to Idaho, you're right!

Re: He May Be Guilty | 9:55 a.m. June 15, 2009

Thanks to the great country we live in, people are innocent until proven guilty. Mr. Fanjul was not proven guilty, so whether you like it or not, he is innocent. Legally and socially, he should be considered in all ways related to this case innocent. Does he have a right to teach? Yes. An accusation should not have the power to require someone to change their life, especially when the accusation has, for all intents and purposes, been declared false. Let Mr. Fanjul be and get back to the work he loves.

Brenda | 11:59 a.m. June 15, 2009

I am a former student at West High School... You know what Fanjul should be able to teach again because he is deeply missed by most students here and he was the best teacher someone could have. I learned so much from him... Gosh!! I MISS HIM! AND DARN YOU WHO ACCUSED HIM!!!!!!!

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