Former Gilman School teacher forced to come to trial on child pornography charges
BALTIMORE -- Christopher Bendann, the former Gilman School teacher charged with child pornography and possession, among other crimes, was forced to attend jury selection for his federal trial Wednesday morning after he refused to leave his cell.
Bendann was arrested in February 2023 after being accused of sexually exploiting a former student between 2016 and 2019.
Judge James K. Bredar ordered U.S. Marshals to retrieve him from the Chesapeake Detention Center in Baltimore.
"The United States Marshal shall FORTHWITH deliver the Defendant to the Motz Ceremonial Courtroom in the United States Courthouse in Baltimore so that the long-scheduled jury trial in this matter may commence," read the order from Judge Bredar.
Bendann's attorney Christopher Nieto told Judge Bredar he previously asked that Bendann be screened for suicidal ideation.
His co-counsel Gary Proctor asked that Bendann not be "forcibly extracted from his cell."
He also said he was prepared to withdraw as counsel.
"The fact that he won't come to court suggests that he doesn't have faith in his counsel," Proctor told Judge Bredar.
The judge cited U.S. Supreme Court precedent that Bendann must be present "at least at the start of the trial."
He asked Proctor whether there were concerns Bendann was not competent to stand trial. "You can be competent and nevertheless be contemplating suicide," Proctor said.
For those in need, the 24-hour suicide-and-crisis lifeline can be reached by dialing 988.
Former student shows support for victims
A panel of 78 potential jurors was in the courtroom Wednesday afternoon for jury selection.
Among those watching the proceedings was Atlas Pyke, a former Gilman student, who showed up to support the alleged victims of Bendann, who was once his assistant track coach.
"He's a monster," Pyke said. "I hope he goes away for a long time. I hope it causes a reckoning with schools in the area, a lot of procedures that are overlooked or maybe turned a blind eye to."
Atlas was stunned when Bendann waved at him and tried to speak to him while waiting for the judge to take the stand, something WJZ witnessed in the courtroom.
"He gave me a wave, said my first name and last name," Pyke said. "Impressive recall. It's been a little while. He identified which school I transferred to after I left Gilman School. I don't know if he saw it as I was there to support him or if he saw it as an intimidation tactic. Certainly, it felt intimidating given the context in the courtroom and what he is being charged with."
Competent to stand trial
Shortly before noon, Bendann appeared in court, dressed in a suit and tie.
His lawyers filed a motion asking for a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he was competent to stand trial.
At the judge's urging, they played a recording of Bendann speaking to his father from jail Tuesday night.
Bendann said, "I can't do it" when asked whether he would show up for court.
He told his father, "I'm not going to last much longer. I might not even make it until tomorrow."
The lawyers said they were concerned about his mental state and that he was a suicide risk. They said it was "detrimental" to their case that he would not assist them.
"He seems to be stuck on certain issues and cannot get past that," Nieto told the judge.
Bendann answered a series of questions from the court and told the judge he was mentally stable.
"I find a difficult to understand how prosecutors can lie and that be reported as evidence," Bendann told Judge Bredar.
He also told Bredar, "I'm disappointed with my legal team for not allowing me to speak to the media, which I have requested several times."
Bredar determined Bendann's mind was "razor sharp" and he was competent to stand trial.
"I find that the defendant is deeply engaged in the process," Bredar said.
Bendann said he would like to be present at certain points in the trial and not others. Judge Bredar said he would allow that, and Bendann can make a decision daily on whether he wants to attend.
Bredar cautioned, "The trial will not be stopped or held up."
