Off with their heads!
"Mass. school sued over sex abuse of teen student
The parents of a 16-year-old girl have sued an Easthampton private school, claiming she was sexually assaulted by a teacher. The plaintiffs are not named in the lawsuit last week against The Williston Northampton School, three administrators and former biology teacher Dennis P. Ryan. It does not specify damages. The lawsuit claims Ryan built a relationship with the girl, then sexually assaulted her. It claims when the girl complained, the school suggested she was lying and labeled her "mentally unstable." The school said Wednesday it acted properly and it will "vigorously fight" the allegations....
--more--"
"Theater director accused of raping teen
The head of a nonprofit Easthampton theater has been charged with raping a teenage girl who took private acting lessons from him. David Fried Oppenheim, 37, founder and director of the Pioneer Arts Center of Easthampton, was released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty Thursday to five counts of statutory rape. Oppenheim told the Daily Hampshire Gazette that the accusations are “devastating’’ and that he denies them. Police say the alleged assaults took place between October 2005 and June 2007 when the girl was 14 and 15. She came forward last month. Police say the relationship started when the girl was cast in a musical at the theater and started taking private acting lessons from Oppenheim (AP)."
