ATLANTA -- Georgia's top court has overturned the sexual
assault conviction of a 28-year-old Richmond County teacher who had a romantic relationship with one of her former students.
The Georgia Supreme Court's 5-2 decision Monday said the
teacher, Melissa Lee Chase, should have been allowed to argue the relationship with the 16-year-old high school junior was consensual at her trial.
The age of consent in Georgia is 16 and Chief Justice Leah Ward
Sears, who wrote the opinion, concluded that "consent of the
alleged victim was a defense to the crime."
Justice George Carley in his dissent said the majority "remarkably misinterprets" the law.
Make Us Home
