Published: October 20, 2009 11:51 pm      

Ex-teacher found not guilty of raping student

SOMERSET — A former Somerset County high school teacher was acquitted Tuesday of raping an eighth-grade student in 2001.

The jury of 10 women and two men found Stephen W. Shaffer, 57, of Grove City, guilty of two counts of indecent assault and one count each of endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of minors.

The jury deliberated for about 61/2 hours before returning the verdict, ending a two-day trial in Somerset County Court.

Judge D. Gregory Geary set Jan. 6 as the sentencing date for Shaffer, a former teacher at Somerset Area High School.

Shaffer faces a maximum of 14 years in prison and up to $30,000 in fines, District

Attorney Jerry Spangler said. He also would have to register as a sexual offender under Megan’s law for 10 years.

In addition to the rape charge, Shaffer was found not guilty of statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, indecent exposure and a second count of corruption of minors.

“I think the jury did a very good job, carefully considering and evaluating the evidence,” Spangler said.

“It was a difficult case because of the nature of the charges.”

Authorities had alleged that Shaffer assaulted the girl, who is now 22, in January or February 2001. In March 2001, after the eighth-grader had turned 14, authorities said Shaffer raped her at his home one night when she was baby-sitting.

Spangler said during his closing argument that the case was one of credibility.

“Who are you going to believe (the student) or Mr. Shaffer?” he asked the jury. “It’s one or the other.”

Spangler said the woman was willing to come forward and tell her story in public.

“She had no motive to lie here,” he said.

Shaffer’s attorney, David Weaver of Johnstown, said there was no physical evidence such as blood, semen, hair samples or torn clothing.

He also questioned why the woman waited until last year to have Somerset borough police file charges.

Spangler said the woman’s testimony had been consistent and forthright throughout the trial.

The woman initially did not tell anyone what had happened because she felt guilty, Spangler said.

She spoke to police after becoming engaged.

“Then she felt she had support and came forward with the information,” Spangler said.

Shaffer surrendered his teaching certificate last year as the state’s Department of Education was investigating a “personal, romantic and sexual relation” he allegedly had with a student.