Published: October 08, 2008 10:51 pm      

Teacher accused of sex assault faces trial

A former Somerset teacher will stand trial for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting a student seven years ago, despite often inconsistent testimony from the now 21-year-old woman and a lack of physical evidence.

Charges against Stephen W. Shaffer, 55, of Grove City, Mercer County, were bound over to court following a two-hour preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Art Cook of Somerset.

“The allegation is a public servant – a teacher – apparently misused that trust by getting apparently vulnerable young girls and taking advantage of them,” Somerset County District Attorney Jerry Spangler said.

But defense attorney David Weaver of Johnstown argued the case lacked evidence, pointing out that there were no hospital records and questioning the credibility of the alleged victim.

“We’re not here to defend the entire life of Stephen Shaffer,” Weaver said.

“There must be some credible evidence that these serious charges should be bound over to court. I haven’t heard anything credible.”

Nonetheless, Cook determined prosecutors met the obligation of proving a prima facia case – in essence showing a crime occurred and Shaffer may have done it.

Shaffer, a former science teacher at Somerset Area Junior High School, retired in 2005 after 17 years with the district.

The woman, whose identity is being withheld, said she met Shaffer at a junior high dance and was going to baby-sit his two children in January or February 2001.

When she arrived at his home in the Brierwood neighborhood, she said Shaffer explained that his wife and kids were at basketball practice and suggested he and the girl go pick out a movie.

On the way, Shaffer drove her to secluded location in a green van, crawled to the back seat and tried to get the girl to touch him, she said.

“I asked him what he was doing,” she said. “He kept saying, ‘Come here, come here.’ I heard a zipper. He told me to touch it.”

The woman said Shaffer raped her on a couch in his basement as she was baby-sitting in March 2001, just after she turned 14.

Later, the woman read a letter she supposedly received from Shaffer. It was signed RLJ – Romeo Loves Juliet.

“I recognize my love for you is a forbidden love,” it read. “It’s like I’m your father and lover at the same time. Very confusing.”

But Weaver introduced letters allegedly written by the woman to Shaffer after she turned 18, calling him “Mr. Wonderful” and concluding, “Love you forever and always.”

One of the letters contained the woman’s picture.

Despite conceding the letters appeared to be in her handwriting, the woman said she could not recall writing them.

Shaffer surrendered his teaching certificate earlier this year as the state Department of Education was investigating a “personal, romantic and sexual relationship” with a student, according to a list of certificate actions from the department.

He faces charges of rape, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, indecent exposure and corruption of minors.

He is free on bond under the following conditions: He cannot have contact with the victim, he has to stay away from her and her family’s home, and he had to surrender his passport and deed to his house.