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Woods contrite as sentence dealt |
The former Open Bible coach is sentenced to six
months in jail and three years probation |
By B. Scott
Adnerson, Newberg Graphic
reporter
E-mail Scott at
banderson@eaglenewspapers.com
|
McMINNVILLE — Edward “Todd” Woods was sentenced to six months in
jail and three years probation Monday by Yamhill County Circuit
Court Judge John Collins.
The sentencing came weeks after Woods pleaded guilty to two counts
of furnishing alcohol to a minor, one count of third-degree sexual
abuse and one count of tampering with a witness.
In a 43-minute
court appearance, the former Open Bible Christian School boys
basketball coach and girls volleyball coach showed little emotion.
Woods was fired in November 2005 after allegations surfaced of his
sexual abuse of female players. He and assistant coach Charlie
Lasiter were accused of providing alcohol to teens. Police said that
Lasiter had sex with a 16-year-old girl at his home and that Woods
had inappropriate sexual contact with one underage girl, as well as
one 18-year-old female student. Open Bible also fired Lasiter after
the allegations surfaced.
At Monday’s proceeding, Woods appeared nonplused as Yamhill County
Chief Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Easterday went over the
details of the crimes.
Included were details of a computer Woods regularly used. The
computer was analyzed by police to see if Woods was a regular
visitor to sex chat Web sites. Easterday said that during the
investigation Woods had attempted to downplay his addiction to sex,
particularly to Internet sex sites.
The computer, however, told a different story, Easterday said. The
results of the analysis told investigators that Woods frequently
engaged in Internet sex chats with everybody from women and men to
high school-age girls.
“To me, it also showed that he was kind of indiscriminate,”
Easterday said. “What that said to me was that he really didn’t have
any boundaries. ... This really does preoccupy a large part of his
life.”
Easterday also said Woods’ betrayal of his players’ trust should
rise to a greater level than that of the misdemeanor crime he was
charged with. Collins agreed, saying that he was frustrated he
couldn’t mete a harsher punishment due to sentencing guidelines.
“Things like this are hard for me to believe,” Collins said in
court. “It’s illogical.”
Easterday also read victim impact statements to the court during
the proceedings.
“I think that Todd should do some prison time so that he would
realize what he did was wrong,” one victim wrote. “I really
wish that he could feel how I feel and felt when it was happening. I
think he should get put on probation after prison and I think that
he should have to register as a sex offender for life.”
A father of one of the victims didn’t mince words in a letter about
Woods and his codefendant, Charlie Lasiter, who is scheduled for a
hearing April 28 for third-degree sexual abuse, contributing to the
sexual delinquency of a minor and furnishing alcohol to a minor.
“Personally, I would have them tortured and executed for their
crimes against my family, but also realize that probably isn’t going
to happen,” he wrote. “The next best thing is your final decision. I
do put my trust in the justice system and know that justice will be
served.”
A mother of one of the victims then stood up in court and read her
own letter. Woods never looked up or showed any emotion as she read.
“I don’t feel sorry for you at all ...,” she said. “Get the
treatment you need, Todd, and do the right thing.”
Woods was then given a chance to address the court.
“I’ve thought long and hard about what I was going to say here,”
Woods said. “This is the toughest thing I’ve ever done and gone
through. I don’t pretend to ever know what they went through — what
the victims and families have gone through. ...
“I made a serious, serious mistake, and I think they’ll have to
live with it for the rest of their lives, and I’ll have to live with
it for the rest of my life.”
Woods then turned to a small gathering of the victims and their
families.
“I would like to say that I know you all hate me very much,” he
said, his voice trembling. “I know that it’s not feasible to think
that you’ll ever forgive me. But hopefully you will someday. I’m so
sorry. I’m so sorry to everybody.” |
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From
April 19,
2006, Newberg Graphic
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