Folks, I tweeted the APS sentencing proceedings and am about to start writing a summation.
In the meantime, here are the morning events in digest form. These tweets include some of the strongest quotes from the judge, who fired off strong reprimands and sentences.
Expect APS cheating story to continue as eight defendants likely to appeal. Only 2 took DA deal.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 7m 7 minutes ago
Judge on APS community service: Wants them working with prisoners or children. 'These are capable people who can teach.'
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 8m 8 minutes ago
Judge advises defendants to right of appeal within 30 days. Needs to know lawyers staying on with clients.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 10m 10 minutes ago
Pam Cleveland takes deal: Gets year home confinement, 1000 hours of community service & fine. First offender status.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 12m 12 minutes ago
Pam Cleveland takes deal: Reads statement of apology for involvement in 2009 CRCT test administration. I am guilty of crimes charged
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 14m 14 minutes ago
Baxter sentences Copeland: 5 years to serve 1; 1,000 hours community service, $1,000 fine. First offender.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 15m 15 minutes ago
Attorney for Theresia Copeland: Spending money to be here. Not going to represent his client in appeal. She's indigent.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 18m 18 minutes ago
Judge: Many people out there involved in cheating. But likely not enough evidence on them. "Sickest' thing to ever happen to city
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 19m 19 minutes ago
Judge now says give first offender to all but 3 administrators. Pitts attorney points out that his boss, Kathy Augustine, not indicted.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 21m 21 minutes ago
Baxter on Buckner-Webb: Five years to serve 1. 1,000 hours community service, $1,000 fine, First offender treatment.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 24m 24 minutes ago
Judge Baxter: I would not take an Alford Plea for Beverly Hall even though people wanted me to and she was sick.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 26m 26 minutes ago
Anybody watching APS sentencing have any sense of victory? Whole thing is sad for everyone.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 28m 28 minutes ago
Attorneys telling judge: DA's office wanted to give us words we have to say to you. Put words in our mouths.
aureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 29m 29 minutes ago
Judge to Buckner's attorney: I want the children who were shortchanged and cheated to have an apology. I don't want an apology
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 31m 31 minutes ago
Diane Buckner-Webb's attorney: No record. Mother, grandmother. I do not think prison is appropriate sentence. Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 35m 35 minutes ago
Judge Baxter argues with Tabeeka Jordan's attorney on whether he promised first offender status in court Monday.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 36m 36 minutes ago
Judge Baxter tells Jordan's attorney: None of the educators willing to take responsibility.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 37m 37 minutes ago
Judge sentences Tabeeka Jordan: Five years to serve 2, 1,500 community service & $5,000 fine. Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 40m 40 minutes ago
APS defendants must believe they have strong appeals ground to pass on DA deal & risk these jail sentences.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 41m 41 minutes ago
Baxter sentences Angela Williamson: Five years to serve 2. 1,500 hours of community service & $5,000 fine.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 43m 43 minutes ago
Angela Williamson's attorney asks for first offender status. 'Temper justice with mercy.'
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 44m 44 minutes ago
Judge Baxter on mercy request for Williamson: Evidence overwhelming that she cheated. Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 45m 45 minutes ago
Williamson wants to be able to raise her kids. Judge asks, 'Why didn't she think about that 18 months ago?"
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 47m 47 minutes ago
Teacher Angela Williamson: Attorney notes trial witnesses said she was top teacher & her students are succeeding.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 49m 49 minutes ago
Judge: Believe Dana Evans knew what was going on in 4th grade. 5 years to serve 1; 1,000 hours community service & first offender.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 52m 52 minutes ago
Attorney: Dr. Evans came to school where cheating had been occurring. Only there for short time yet being held responsible
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 53m 53 minutes ago
Attorney Rubin speaking on behalf of Dana Evans: Kids at Dobbs did get tutoring, help. CRCT scores didn't matter. Help provided.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 56m 56 minutes ago
Judge Baxter not swayed on Pitts: Sentences him 20 years to serve 7. $25,000 fine. 2,000 hours community service.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 60m 60 minutes ago
Incredulous Baxter to PItts: You had no idea there was blatant cheating at that school?
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Judge to Pitts: How could you believe Parks Middle made such leaps? Pitts: I turned around a failing high school. Can be done.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Michael Pitts to judge: Came to APS when Carver graduating only 23 students. Improvements were made.
0 Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Judge's sarcastic response to lawyer comment that APS is better school system now. 'Everything is great, thank god, Dr. Hall came'
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Judge: Everybody starts crying about these educators. There were thousands of children harmed in this thing, This is not a victimless crime
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Attorney for Pitts; His client supervised many other schools & teachers. Convicted on what he should have known, not what he did.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Baxter tells Pitts' attorney: Your client was at epicenter of cheating at Parks Middle. He was in charge of that school.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Attorney for Michael Pitts: 20 years to serve 7 is unfair & unjust sentence.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
People who wanted APS cheating trial defendants to serve serious time are getting wish. Angry judge is sending folks to jail for 7 years.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Defendants paying high price for refusing DA's offer: Judge sentences 2 so far to serve 7 years in jail & pay $25,000 fine
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Judge sentences Tamara Cotman to 20 years to serve 7; 2,000 hours of community service & $25,000 fine.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Baxter said Cotman fired educator who questioned high scores by students who couldn't read.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Cotman's attorney: No one saw Cotman cheating or directing cheating.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Baxter to Cotman's attorney speaking for his client: 'I know more of Cotman than I ever want to know.'
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Tenor of APS sentencing going bad fast. Baxter's angry defendants not taking deals & still challenging verdict.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Furious Baxter lecturing Cotman's attorney. Says Cotman at 'top of the food chain'. She ran off good educators.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Wow. An angry Baxter sentences Sharon Davis Williams to 20 years to serve 7 years and $25,000 fine.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Judge and attorneys arguing. Baxter warns 1 lawyer to sit down or risk jail.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Attorney for Sharon Williams: Only convicted of 1 charge. No record. Asking for 5 years probation & first offender. Allow appeal.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Miffed judge tells attorney Davis trying to make legal argument on charges to stop talking. 'I've listened to you for 3 years.'
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
APS defendants apparently maintaining they unjustly convicted. Only 1 took deal sparing him jail & giving him first offender status
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Most APS defendants unwilling to take deal & admit guilt. Long road to appeals court will begin. Jail time runs 1 to 3 years
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
For APS defendants not taking deals: Jail time: 3 years for Pitt, Cotman; 2 years for most others including Evans & Jordan.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Judge Baxter to Bullock: 'Thank you for accepting responsibility and relieving me of a harsh sentence for you. Good luck.'
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Bullock: 5 year probation, 6 month weekend jail, $5,000 fine,1500 hours of community service teaching inmates. First offender status
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Bullock apologizes for my involvement in what happened in CRCT 'administration.' I accept responsibility. He reads the charges.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Bullock's attorney starts giving reasons why client taking deal. Judge interrupts: He has to fess up. If not, don't waste time.
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