Gym teacher seeking records of alleged abuse victims

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- An elementary school gym teacher accused of sexually molesting six students may get a chance to look at the students' records.

Greene County Associate Division Judge Mark Powell on Friday said he will review the records and determine whether there's any information relevant to defense attorneys representing Mark Washam.

Powell said he'll rule on the issue Nov. 2, after which he may set a trial date.

Washam, who taught gym at Roundtree Elementary School, is charged with four counts of misdemeanor sexual misconduct and five counts of misdemeanor assault. Prosecutors claim he touched the students' breasts and buttocks and, in one case, pinned a girl against a wall while rubbing against her.

His defense attorneys said the alleged victims' records they might show that the students exaggerated the encounters, had not been truthful or had disciplinary problems.

The records would also give them information to use when cross-examining prosecution witnesses, the attorneys argued.

"If these folks are listed as complaintants and will testify, my client has to have access to information on these students," said attorney Dee Wampler.

Assistant prosecuting attorney Jill Patterson described the request as "a fishing expedition."

Powell did deny a request Friday from Washam's attorneys that sought details about a call to the state Division of Family Services' hotline alerting official to the alleged abuse.

Former Roundtree Principal Carolyn Harralson, charged with not reporting abuse, is scheduled to go on trial Nov. 14.