Accused Pa. teacher waives hearing

April 21, 2004|by DON AINES

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - A former Fannett-Metal High School teacher accused of having inappropriate contact with three female students waived his preliminary hearing Tuesday in Franklin County Central Court.

District Justice Shirley Shatzer scheduled William Bradley Palm, 24, of 300 W. King St., Shippensburg, Pa., for mandatory arraignment in county court on Wednesday, June 2, Assistant District Attorney T.R. Williams said.

Palm is charged with felony counts of statutory sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault, misdemeanor indecent assault and three misdemeanor counts of corruption of minors.

Pennsylvania State Police charged Palm on March 31. His preliminary arraignment before District Justice Richard Alloway II took place earlier this month. Palm was released on $30,000 unsecured bond.

Palm was suspended after one of the girls talked to high school officials, schools Superintendent Dana Baker said earlier this month. Palm, who also served as the junior high school boys' basketball coach, was dismissed following a disciplinary hearing on April 12.

School Director Derek Stoy said Palm did not attend the hearing, but the three alleged victims were present.

According to the affidavits of probable cause, the incidents occurred between October 2003 and March 15. One girl told police she had sexual contact with Palm after school in a classroom and on another occasion in a car, the affidavit alleges.

The other girls said the contact occurred off school property in vehicles, police said.

The two felony counts against Palm carry a maximum sentence of 10 years each. The misdemeanors have maximum penalties of five years, according to state law.

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