Regina Crenshaw was found not guilty Friday afternoon by a Franklin County Juvenile Court jury. She'd been charged with a criminal misdemeanor for not immediately calling police after the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl at Mifflin High School, where Crenshaw was principal last year. The Columbus school board fired her because of the incident. But today's verdict may play a factor in future litigation.
Crenshaw wept when she heard the jury's verdict. Later she told reporters she felt justice had been served.
"It's been a long hard road," Crenshaw said. "But this was a road for those who may think that justice can't be served. And so if you're on this same kind of road, take it."
Chief prosecutor Steve Macintosh left immediately after the verdict was announced. Assistant prosecutor Melanie Tobias would not talk on tape. But after meeting with the jury she told a reporter that she'd seen a lot of sympathy for Crenshaw. Tobias said several jurors hugged and kissed the formal principal. Then, Tobias said, 'they bolted.'
Regina Crenshaw expressed relief after court was adjourned. "I'm moving forward," Crenshaw said. "Yes the police were called. It may not be over but this is finished."
According to Crenshaw's attorney, Toki Clark, more litigation will follow.
"This was our first of three hurdles. The second hurdle is our administrative case which I believe is set for sometime in May to begin," Clark said.
The jury appeared to be deadlocked Thursday afternoon. Both the defense and the prosecution said they did not know why or how the jury reached its verdict.