OREGON, Mo. - A jury trial for a former Tarkio teacher and coach accused of several sex crimes got off to a slow start Wednesday.
Lee A. Rucker, 34, is charged with felony first-degree child molestation, felony sexual misconduct involving a child less than 14 years old and misdemeanor furnishing pornographic material to a minor.
Mr. Rucker had taught physical education in the Tarkio R-1 School District, served as athletic director and coached boys' and girls' basketball at the middle school and high school levels. He was employed by the district for two years.
The allegations and charges both surfaced during the summer of 2008 and allegedly involved two 12-year-old boys. He has no prior criminal record.
Attorneys for both sides and Circuit Judge Roger Prokes spent much of the day selecting a jury from a pool of 65 prospective members. Most of the individual questioning focused on potential jurors' knowledge of the case and whether they could fairly weigh evidence that will be presented to them through Friday.
The three-day case is being heard in Holt County on a change of venue from Atchison County. A jury of seven women and six men, including one alternate, was finally seated by mid-afternoon.
In his opening argument, Atchison County Prosecutor Dan Smith said the alleged molestation of one victim occurred from late 2007 to early 2008.
"Our evidence will tell a story," he told the jury. "He wasn't your ordinary coach or your ordinary teacher," he said of Mr. Rucker. "Both of these young men are great kids."
Defense attorney Patrick Peters of Kansas City informed jurors that his evidence will demonstrate that Mr. Rucker is innocent of the charges and would fit well as a coach in any small town.
"Lee Rucker is the type of coach who uses coaching to instruct on life," he said. "We're going to tell you what really went on. ... You'll get a feel for what it's like being a coach."
The state's testimony is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. today. Both victims will testify at the trial, Mr. Smith said.
Ray Scherer can be reached
at rscherer@npgco.com.
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matt says...
First person to comment , so here goes.
As a retired teacher/coach, I do not know Mr. Rucker personally.
Rumor has it, that he offended the wrong parents and they have it out for him. I have seen this situation many times!!!
If this is true I pray the truth is found. If he is guilty, again I hope justice prevails. Either way Mr. Rucker's careeer is probably over with as a teacher.
My concern is I see that Judge Prokes is the Judge in the case. He was the judge a month ago when a Tarkio convict, on parole,murdered a Maryville man in front of the man's children. Judge Prokes sentenced the convict to 10 years in prison. Certainly not the " Hanging Judge"..
July 30, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
donaldo says...
if i was to commit this kind of offence such as the convict on parole killing a man in front of his children. i too would want this judge. 10 years? for murder? in front of children? what hole did this judge just crawl out of?this should go in front of a panel of judge,s to oust this guy.he isnt a family man or doesent act like one.and to think they will give the coach a fair trial.i know nothing about this case, but if he,s guilty, i hope he gets more then 10 years.
July 30, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Flyfish1 says...
It is hard to be in education today and to be a coach is even more difficult. I started in 1964 (I am old) but can remember taking kids home after the game when their parents could not get to the gym-many times it was me and a young man or woman in the car-today, I would never put my self in that situation. If he is guilty then let justice work, but if he is innocent his career is still done.
July 30, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )