Child victim, ex-wife testify against former officer charged with daycare sex abuse
BALTIMORE -- A 12-year-old girl who said she was sexually abused by former Baltimore police officer James Weems Jr. clutched her teddy bear when she testified before a Baltimore County jury about what happened to her. She left the courtroom in tears after direct examination.
The defense then tried to highlight inconsistencies in her statements during cross-examination.
The alleged abuse happened more than two years ago at the Lil Kidz Kastle daycare in Owings Mills owned by the defendant's wife at the time.
Prosecutors said Weems showed the victim, who was then a 10-year-old, pornography in the daycare's van, which he drove regularly.
The young victim's uncle also took the stand Tuesday and told the jury how her family discovered pornography on her tablet and she started crying and told them "Mr. James" first showed it to her.
Ex-wife testifies
Shanteari Weems took the witness stand on Tuesday for the prosecution to testify against her ex-husband.
Jurors were not allowed to hear that she shot him during a confrontation about the allegations or that she remains in prison serving a four-year sentence for that shooting at a Washington, D.C. hotel.
Shanteari Weems has since divorced James Weems and changed her last name to Young. She was dressed in street clothes and unshackled out of the jury's view.
"Ms. Weems did something that she felt was worth it to protect those children and she's been held accountable," said her attorney Tony Garcia. "Now, it's his turn."
Shanteari recounted the day she heard the allegations.
"I had a lot of questions, trying to figure out what was going on… I was overwhelmed, distressed," she told jurors.
She said her husband "…was very calm. He didn't ask any questions."
"She told the truth. She did what she had to do. I'm disappointed that she did not go into what happened at the shooting because I think the jury needs to know why a person that rational, that calm, that focused and reasonable, why would she snap like that unless something happened?" Garcia said.
Prosecutor's opening statement
Prosecutor Zarena Sita told jurors in her opening statement, "While he's waiting to pick up children, he's getting himself in the mood, watching videos of older men like himself having sex with young-looking girls like [the victim]."
She also read the graphic names of pornographic websites found on Mr. Weems' confiscated cellphone.
"It was overwhelming. You hear these words. You hear teen, and child associated with it. It's a lot for a jury to take in," said Jessica Rubin, who is also a lawyer for Shanteari. "When Ms. Weems was asked about it, her first words are, I would never. That's disgusting. That's gross. It was never a part of my lifestyle."
Defendant denies allegations
The defendant has declined to comment, but his lead attorney told jurors his client denies abusing any children.
"He was using pornography, and he had sort of an addiction to pornography, and he had some sites on his phone. But never, ever, even one time did he give [the victim] his phone and ask her to look at these sites," said defense attorney Thomas Pavlinic.
He said James Weems plans to testify in his own defense.
"Free Shanteari"
WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren spoke to Danielle York, a friend of Shanteari Weems who wore a "Free Shanteari" t-shirt to watch her testimony.
"That's a hurtful feeling that he's walking around and she's sitting in prison," York said. "I'm going to always support my sister no matter what."
She is not expected to be released until December of next year.
Hellgren asked her attorneys how she is holding up behind bars.
"We've spoken to her. She's doing well given the circumstances. We spoke to the family, and everyone has high hopes for her release next year," Rubin said.
