Folks, I tweeted the APS sentencing proceedings and am about to start writing a summation.
In the meantime, here are the morning events in digest form. These tweets include some of the strongest quotes from the judge, who fired off strong reprimands and sentences.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 5m 5 minutes ago
Expect APS cheating story to continue as eight defendants likely to appeal. Only 2 took DA deal.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 7m 7 minutes ago
Judge on APS community service: Wants them working with prisoners or children. 'These are capable people who can teach.'
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 8m 8 minutes ago
Judge advises defendants to right of appeal within 30 days. Needs to know lawyers staying on with clients.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 10m 10 minutes ago
Pam Cleveland takes deal: Gets year home confinement, 1000 hours of community service & fine. First offender status.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 12m 12 minutes ago
Pam Cleveland takes deal: Reads statement of apology for involvement in 2009 CRCT test administration. I am guilty of crimes charged
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 14m 14 minutes ago
Baxter sentences Copeland: 5 years to serve 1; 1,000 hours community service, $1,000 fine. First offender.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 15m 15 minutes ago
Attorney for Theresia Copeland: Spending money to be here. Not going to represent his client in appeal. She's indigent.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 18m 18 minutes ago
Judge: Many people out there involved in cheating. But likely not enough evidence on them. "Sickest' thing to ever happen to city
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 19m 19 minutes ago
Judge now says give first offender to all but 3 administrators. Pitts attorney points out that his boss, Kathy Augustine, not indicted.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 21m 21 minutes ago
Baxter on Buckner-Webb: Five years to serve 1. 1,000 hours community service, $1,000 fine, First offender treatment.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 24m 24 minutes ago
Judge Baxter: I would not take an Alford Plea for Beverly Hall even though people wanted me to and she was sick.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 26m 26 minutes ago
Anybody watching APS sentencing have any sense of victory? Whole thing is sad for everyone.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 28m 28 minutes ago
Attorneys telling judge: DA's office wanted to give us words we have to say to you. Put words in our mouths.
aureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 29m 29 minutes ago
Judge to Buckner's attorney: I want the children who were shortchanged and cheated to have an apology. I don't want an apology
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 31m 31 minutes ago
Diane Buckner-Webb's attorney: No record. Mother, grandmother. I do not think prison is appropriate sentence. Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 35m 35 minutes ago
Judge Baxter argues with Tabeeka Jordan's attorney on whether he promised first offender status in court Monday.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 36m 36 minutes ago
Judge Baxter tells Jordan's attorney: None of the educators willing to take responsibility.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 37m 37 minutes ago
Judge sentences Tabeeka Jordan: Five years to serve 2, 1,500 community service & $5,000 fine. Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 40m 40 minutes ago
APS defendants must believe they have strong appeals ground to pass on DA deal & risk these jail sentences.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 41m 41 minutes ago
Baxter sentences Angela Williamson: Five years to serve 2. 1,500 hours of community service & $5,000 fine.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 43m 43 minutes ago
Angela Williamson's attorney asks for first offender status. 'Temper justice with mercy.'
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 44m 44 minutes ago
Judge Baxter on mercy request for Williamson: Evidence overwhelming that she cheated. Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 45m 45 minutes ago
Williamson wants to be able to raise her kids. Judge asks, 'Why didn't she think about that 18 months ago?"
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 47m 47 minutes ago
Teacher Angela Williamson: Attorney notes trial witnesses said she was top teacher & her students are succeeding.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 49m 49 minutes ago
Judge: Believe Dana Evans knew what was going on in 4th grade. 5 years to serve 1; 1,000 hours community service & first offender.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 52m 52 minutes ago
Attorney: Dr. Evans came to school where cheating had been occurring. Only there for short time yet being held responsible
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 53m 53 minutes ago
Attorney Rubin speaking on behalf of Dana Evans: Kids at Dobbs did get tutoring, help. CRCT scores didn't matter. Help provided.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 56m 56 minutes ago
Judge Baxter not swayed on Pitts: Sentences him 20 years to serve 7. $25,000 fine. 2,000 hours community service.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 60m 60 minutes ago
Incredulous Baxter to PItts: You had no idea there was blatant cheating at that school?
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Judge to Pitts: How could you believe Parks Middle made such leaps? Pitts: I turned around a failing high school. Can be done.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Michael Pitts to judge: Came to APS when Carver graduating only 23 students. Improvements were made.
0 Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Judge's sarcastic response to lawyer comment that APS is better school system now. 'Everything is great, thank god, Dr. Hall came'
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Judge: Everybody starts crying about these educators. There were thousands of children harmed in this thing, This is not a victimless crime
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Attorney for Pitts; His client supervised many other schools & teachers. Convicted on what he should have known, not what he did.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Baxter tells Pitts' attorney: Your client was at epicenter of cheating at Parks Middle. He was in charge of that school.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Attorney for Michael Pitts: 20 years to serve 7 is unfair & unjust sentence.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
People who wanted APS cheating trial defendants to serve serious time are getting wish. Angry judge is sending folks to jail for 7 years.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Defendants paying high price for refusing DA's offer: Judge sentences 2 so far to serve 7 years in jail & pay $25,000 fine
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Judge sentences Tamara Cotman to 20 years to serve 7; 2,000 hours of community service & $25,000 fine.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Baxter said Cotman fired educator who questioned high scores by students who couldn't read.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Cotman's attorney: No one saw Cotman cheating or directing cheating.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Baxter to Cotman's attorney speaking for his client: 'I know more of Cotman than I ever want to know.'
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Tenor of APS sentencing going bad fast. Baxter's angry defendants not taking deals & still challenging verdict.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Furious Baxter lecturing Cotman's attorney. Says Cotman at 'top of the food chain'. She ran off good educators.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 1h 1 hour ago
Wow. An angry Baxter sentences Sharon Davis Williams to 20 years to serve 7 years and $25,000 fine.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Judge and attorneys arguing. Baxter warns 1 lawyer to sit down or risk jail.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Attorney for Sharon Williams: Only convicted of 1 charge. No record. Asking for 5 years probation & first offender. Allow appeal.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Miffed judge tells attorney Davis trying to make legal argument on charges to stop talking. 'I've listened to you for 3 years.'
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
APS defendants apparently maintaining they unjustly convicted. Only 1 took deal sparing him jail & giving him first offender status
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Most APS defendants unwilling to take deal & admit guilt. Long road to appeals court will begin. Jail time runs 1 to 3 years
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
For APS defendants not taking deals: Jail time: 3 years for Pitt, Cotman; 2 years for most others including Evans & Jordan.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Judge Baxter to Bullock: 'Thank you for accepting responsibility and relieving me of a harsh sentence for you. Good luck.'
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Bullock: 5 year probation, 6 month weekend jail, $5,000 fine,1500 hours of community service teaching inmates. First offender status
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Bullock apologizes for my involvement in what happened in CRCT 'administration.' I accept responsibility. He reads the charges.
Maureen Downey @AJCGetSchooled · 2h 2 hours ago
Bullock's attorney starts giving reasons why client taking deal. Judge interrupts: He has to fess up. If not, don't waste time.
