Accuser Takes The Stand In Teacher Molestation Trial
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - A popular Broward County music teacher accused of molesting several students went back to court Monday as prosecutors asked a judge to combine two of the cases against him.
Broward Sheriff's deputies arrested David Layman in 2008.
One of his accusers testified in court Monday that he was 9 years old when Layman began touching him inappropriately.
The boy said the first time occurred while he and other students were in Layman's class at Imagine Charter School in Weston.
"I think it was when we were watching a movie," the boy, now 11, said. "And he told us who wants to sit on my lap?"
The boy said he sat on Layman's lap in the back of class.
The prosecutor asked the boy where Layman touched him. The boy replied, "My private part."
The boy testified he left the classroom to go to the bathroom and did not return.
The prosecutor asked, "How did you feel when he was a doing that?" The boy said, "I felt like I should tell someone."
The boy said he was touched again by Layman at least one more time. However, he did not tell his parents or another teacher until after Layman was arrested for allegedly molesting a private piano student.
"Why did you still not tell anybody about what happened?" the prosecutor asked him.
"Because I was afraid," the boy said.
"What were you so afraid of?" the prosecutor asked.
"That I would get in trouble," the boy said.
Layman's attorney, Brian Reidy, told CBS 4's Carey Codd that his client is not guilty.
"He's innocent of these charges," Reidy said.
After his arrest, supporters of Layman came forward saying that the popular teacher could never have molested anyone.
Prosecutors are seeking to combine two of the cases against Layman. The judge in the case has scheduled another hearing on the matter for next Monday.
