COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – An evidentiary hearing on a defense motion to dismiss is being conducted today in Branch County District Court in the misdemeanor cases of former Quincy High School Principal David Spalding and former Quincy Superintendent Craig Artist.
Spalding and Artist are both facing misdemeanors for failure to report suspected sexual abuse to the Department of Human Services in connection with how they handled allegations that teacher and Information Technology Director Jason Ferrell was having sexual relations with a female student.
Ferrell eventually resigned and later entered no contest pleas to two counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct. He was sentenced to prison for between seven years, 11 months and 15 years.
Wednesday’s hearing started almost an hour later than scheduled. Judge Brent Weigle said at the start there were mixed issues with the facts and laws.
The defense motioned with no objection from the prosecution that witnesses who were subpoenaed for the hearing be sequestered during the testimony.
Valarie White from the Prosecutors Office ran down a list of 17 witnesses who they subpoenaed while defense attorney Bill Renner subpoenaed nine witnesses who could possibly testify on Wednesday.
Part of the reason why defense attorneys T.J. Reed and Renner want the cases thrown out is that they claim the prosecution withheld information.
Renner said during a February pre trial conference that he was dealing with two conflicting police reports.
White disagrees and says they have cooperated with the defense.
