" This is very sad..This case is a typical example of how a person's life can be destroyed over rumor and false accusation(s). You would think the District Attorney's office would of previously seen the descrepancies in these girls testimonies?? This poor guy deserves some restitution and some very heart felt apologies! "

" Partial justice. The unfortunate fact is that Mr. Shelton will likely have a shroud of suspicion to deal with for the rest of his career. Molestation charges are the type of thing that results in a permanent stain, even when proven untrue. The best of luck to Mr. Shelton. "

" That is so sad, that children can lie and ruin a man's life.
He will carry this load around with him all his life even if he knows it is not true.
I am not saying this doesn't happen and shouldn't be reported, but what happens when teenage girls get together and start rumors. I have been around some teenage girls that would curl your hair with the devious thoughts they have. Girls can be cruel.
So hopefully Mr. Shelton gets his creditials back and moves on, probably out of Napa if he is smart..
Today a teenager can accuse a father of just touching her and it is called abuse.and he gets arrested.
The law doesn't always protect the parents. and teenagers Lie!!! "

" Yes this is horrible how the system fails to be able to discern when a child is lying about the parents or another adult... The children, especially teens and pre teens know that all they have to do is cry wolf and they will get their way most of the time...I have seen many young girls in the foster care system because of false accusations they mat have said out of frustration and anger, and then when they are removed and put into fostercare decide they no longer like being away from thier parent, then they admit they made up the whole story...Something should be done about the system.. we need an advocate system where a parent or adult such as Mr. Shelton can go to before this kind of stuff gets even more out of control. And the sad thing about it, is that most children know they have the system on their side and probably 98% of the time the adult pays for every accucsation made against them. "

" These girls weren't teenagers, they were children. Knowing children, it's easy for them to forget exact details and even sometimes the order of events. "

" So, now what happens to those girls that have been caught lying to hurt this teacher. He was found not guilty - are they, therefore, guilty of perjury? There must be some retribution here. The girls get off scott free and he carries this stygma around for the rest of his life, and his career. Very sad and I wish him the best of luck. "

" It took the jury only 20 minutes to find the guy not guilty. It would have taken them longer to decide what they wanted for lunch. Why is the DA moving forward with cases like this? "

" Our system of justice will never be able to render true justice until the judges become real Article III judicial officers. This would render all power with the people. The present system arrests and accuses an innocent man and he is forced to defend himself against hearsay. This is what we deserve for allowing judges to get away with NOT taking the correct oath of office. Let's make our judges honest! Request a copy of the local judges written oath. The clerk of the court will write back to you and tell you there is not one on record. Hmmmm. Thats a little suspicious especially when the US Constitution specifically states that EVERY judge MUST take a written oath. Why don't they? What is so secret about this? Well this is the reason that innocent victims like Mr. Shelton will never be completely vindicated in our system. There is a solution but you must listen to what I say. These judges are called "your honor" in their lair...I mean courtroom. As if they are some sort of superior being. This is grossly hypocritical and irresponsible of these public officials to parade as something that they clearly are NOT. Why do we willingly allow these imposters to tell us what to do? Because we think we have to but that is wrong. In fact, we have a legal duty to expose these untruths and force government to follow the laws. Law is for government, NOT people and Mr. Shelton deserves our support to finally make the system change in our favor instead of the favor of government...who owns judges now. We must unite in the name of liberty and to stop any further instances like this from happening...the next time it could be YOU! "

" damn kids! "

" The movie "Atonement" showed how devastating this kind of false accusation can be -- to the point of death in this fictional story, but the point is that a child can bring baggage into a real world scene and then make up stories and then stick to their guns. Adults do that as well. The hard part is that this young teacher is probably best off finding a new profession. He's young enough to make a change. God speed, Mr. Shelton, whatever you decide. "

" I am so completely heartbroken. My daughter goes to Philips, and she was a third grader when this all happened. Luckily she was not a part of experience with the other girls. I remember when he was first arrested, girls were on the playground at recess talking about it. I believe the girls should have been pulled before that. Right when they reported it, the girls should have been pulled. They are little girls, and it's so easy for little girls to fabricate, or embellish on their versons of events. I'm really upset at the way this whole situation was handled. He was aquitted, which only means he was found not guilty of what he was charged with. Who know's? Something could have happened...and just have been blown out of proportion. Kids do not understand a lot about life, and it's our job as parents to teach them that when talk about something, to make sure it's true before you say something...that rumors and ideas spread like wild fire. And teachers today have to know to be extra careful. Even little things like scratching yourself accidentally in front of someone can easily been misconstrued into something else way worse. I am more discusted at the fact that people are out right calling these girls liars, when in fact they are little girls who are very influential. Something could have happened. Sexual abuse is so much more than just physical touching. Even if the truth is that nothing happened...the idea couldn't have come from nowhere. What if there was abuse somewhere else? I pray for these girls, and for Mr. Shelton. "

" To Justwonderng: The problem in these types of cases is that the constitution has not been tossed completely out the window, but is hung up in the frame on its way out. When such an accusation is leveled, you really cannot (dare not) talk to the police since what you say “can and will be used against you” (Miranda). You cannot talk with a minister or other counselor because confidentiality in these matters is no longer protected. In fact anything you say there must be reported to police and that all goes back to that Miranda line. So, you’re left only with your attorney. And not every attorney is all that competent. There are plenty of resources for accusers to draw on to make a person’s life a living hell, but the political tide is firmly against any protections for the accused. I know of situations where such an accusation was made and the accused, knowing that even if acquitted they would have that cloud about them, committed suicide. Granted, abuse of a child is a horrible thing, when it is true. But the false accusation is a nearly equal burden. I agree with Mominnapa, some sort of restitution is due Mr. Shelton in this case. I would suggest the parents of the accusers be responsible for Mr. Shelton’s legal costs, including any costs related to the reinstatement of his teaching credentials. This is the sort of thing that keeps many good people from even entering the teaching profession. "

" Nowhere in this article it says these girls lied, again this was something that happened in April 07. Victims of sexual abuse most times block out the things that happened to them... what would be their motive to make these allegations??? "

" These girls were quite young -- elementary school and though I can't condone any false allegation, I do want to remind people that children's tales of priest molestation were dismissed as fabrications, when sadly, a lot of them were true. Certainly, the prosecutors need to tread very carefully before filing charges but we all need to remember that some claims by children are true. "

" First, I'm pleased to see this story front-page above the fold. If this guy truly didn't do anything, he deserves as much, and I hope he gets his teaching credentials back. However, I do have a few observations: 1) Why no comments from the DA who prosecuted the case? If they declined to comment, the reporter should have stated that. If the reporter never even approached the DA for comment about the outcome of the case, that’s shabby reporting. 2) He was acquitted of the charges; doesn't necessarily mean that nothing ever happened. 3) How do you know the girls lied? Their stories may have been inconsistent, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they lied. Imagine being 8 or 9 years old in this situation under question from the police and the DA. "

" There is no happy ending here. A newly married teacher has lost his job and almost a year of his life, and three little girls will forever be look upon as liers. It is sad whatever way you look at it. "

" Does anyone know who the prosecuter was? "

" If 12 of our peers, after looking at all the evidence and only taking 20 minutes to acquit him, why are we supposing that they are just innocent little girls who were telling the truth. I think it started as a rumor and once caught in a lie, they decided to keep on going with it. Kids don't think about the greater picture, all they know is that if they are found to be liars they will be punished. Kids want to please. "

" Good luck Mr. Shelton! Keep your head up high! We believed in you the whole time... The girls are old enough to know the "truth" and if they were just repeating the facts, then their stories would'nt have been difficult to remeber/repeat. Those girls, i'm sure have a "story", a past and issues in their own short lives and an honest, kind and concerned teacher happened to be at the right place at the wrong time. Our children and school systems are out of control... My 4th grade teacher hugged me every day when i got to school and when i went home, 20 years ago... And back then that was being a kind, thoughtful, caring teacher! Now, i guess you would call that, misconduct? Abuse? Please... This is getting out of hand! And besides 8 year olds now a days, lie, steal, cheat, do drugs, have sex, etc... When I was 8, i didn't even know the "bad words"! Anything to get attention, even if it's bad publicity. So says, Paris Hilton, proabably someone they admire. "

" Being a former teacher myself and married to a teacher, this is getting to be more common in school districts around the country. Kids know the buttons to push. Accusations are made without investigation. If accused, you are "assumed" guilty. Now, the question remains. Since this man was Fully Aquitted with NVUSD given him back his credentials and reinstate him. Yes, he should be given all rights of a free man and given back his job with back pay. Reinstated to his job, if he wants it. I would not blame him, if he high tailed it out of town and went to some other quite town. Start all over again.
Why was he fired in the first place ? Our Country states the accused is not guilty till proven otherwise. Does'nt seem to be the case with NVUSD. "

" hmmm... OJ was acquitted by a jury of his peers albeit through strong evidence, acquitted nonetheless. I wonder how dificult it is for a skilled defense attorney to shred the testimony of a couple of kids, hmmmm ....seems the kids may not have been put through the painful testimony unless absolutely necessary. For kids sake, I hope the race to acquit isn't as biased as it seems. Seems hardly enough time to reasonably consider the case in its entirety, rather lazy inconvenienced jurors who allready had their minds made up. Worked out for the OJ though! "

" Shame on the Napa County District Attorney for prosecuting this case. Is this a Mike Nifong-like injustice? For this prosecution alone I will vote against Gary Lieberstein. "

" Another typical scandal in the NVUSD. The schools are out of control and in chaos. "

" I think Mr. Shelton should stay right here in Napa. He was found not guilty so, why run. Being in a new town, he will still feel compelled to hide his past and feel shame for something that he didn't do. Stay right here a face those who know you and hold your head up high. Running away will not solve anything. "

" My heart goes out to Mr. Shelton for all has had to go through this past year, along with the pain his family has also had to endure. I don't think that this is a case of young children forgetting details. I am sure a jury of 12 would have been able to see through that. I also don't think the children may even realize how their accusations have changed this man's life forever. Their lives never changed. They continued to go to school and live their lives in a normal fashion. Mr. Shelton's life was put on hold for an entire year. The D.A. had 11 months to look at the same evidence it took 12 jurors 6 days to hear and 20 minutes to make a decision and found him not guilty. It is a shame that if Mr. Shelton returns to teaching, it will change the way he teaches forever. There should be some compensation for all he has lost.. wages, benefits, legal fees, and most important the pain he and his family must have went through. Now that he is cleared, he still has to rebuild his life, so it is not over. "

" This on it's surface is bizarre and surreal is it not? Something is *very* wrong with this picture and story especially after a six day trial. The NVR is not a detailed oriented or investigative newspaper so it will take people who were at this trial in a more inclusive way to give others an overview what was done and if it was done properly. The correct child psychologists, doing extensive longer range work with these girls pretty much *always* know what is really going on early on in these dramas. Either the prosecutor needs replacement or these young girls needs to be looked at very very carefully by skilled therapists as they are deeply disturbed. Another possibility is that this jury is possibly brain dead and on life support and this needs to be rectified. Where are the in-depth reporters in all of this? "

" My heart goes out to Mr. Shelton for all has had to go through this past year, along with the pain his family has also had to endure. I don't think that this is a case of young children forgetting details. I am sure a jury of 12 would have been able to see through that. I also don't think the children may even realize how their accusations have changed this man's life forever. Their lives never changed. They continued to go to school and live their lives in a normal fashion. Mr. Shelton's life was put on hold for an entire year. The D.A. had 11 months to look at the same evidence it took 12 jurors 6 days to hear and 20 minutes to make a decision and found him not guilty. It is a shame that if Mr. Shelton returns to teaching, it will change the way he teaches forever. There should be some compensation for all he has lost.. wages, benefits, legal fees, and most important the pain he and his family must have went through. Now that he is cleared, he still has to rebuild his life, so it is not over. "

" While it appears there are many of us on the side of Mr. Shelton, it also seems there are still those with the attitude "Accused = Guilty" in these scenarios. For those of you with this mindset, I hope you are one day falsly accused of such a horrid thing. Then, perhaps, you will understand. "

" I am always interested in "truth" of what actually occurred in such a high profile and disturbing cases as it can shatter the fabric of ones reality and trust and as such humans can lie to themselves, deny what is in front of them despite all evidence to the contrary. If this man is truly "not guilty" of any malfeasance then I highly suggest that he do what OJ Simpson never did i.e. file for a 'legal finding' of "innocence" in this mater. It's separate from a not guilty verdict which is really a very easy verdict to attain oddly. Two different critters here. I'll be watching with great interest. "

" Needle: Interesting note. I personally have never heard of this. However, I am the sort of person who, now knowning of the concept, would persue such a determination. This would go far in clearing any remaining clouds of suspision. "

" Three third grades girls so they are about eight or nine. When young children are asked questions over and over again they get confused. The young girls may had information fed into them during being interviewed so many times. Why would three girls make up a story about their teacher sexual abusing them unless it was true. I could not imagine children making up a story of this nature. I believe this teacher should not be a teacher anymore and should look for work else where. The reason for the stories changing might be the children being confused, and now a man who may have committed a crime is going to be allowed to teach again. "

" Please remember all charges against Mr. Shelton were misdemeanors, which could include directly a student into class, patting their head, giving a high five, etc. We don't know. Obviously, a jury of 12 heard the all of the evidence and without hestitation knew this teacher was innocent.
Children are often confused when having to tell the same story over and over, but it never said they had to tell the same story over and over, which is the reason for the video taped interviews. Often, telling the truth is easier to tell over and over for any age but when the truth is not told it is often hard to keep the same story straight. Anyone not a the trial only has the information provided by the reporter, and reading the article it doesn't seem like she was there either. Trust your fellow jurors and believe they used their best judgement when giving their verdict in this case, they were the ones there. "

" sworn testimony evidence is in fact told multiple times over before it even gets to the stage of being sworn. A good defense attorney will attack evidence by the manner noted. I've never heard of anyone indicted over a hi-5, yet there is a trend with our children in the classroom. Da nile is a long river. Your children deserve to be protected by 12. "

" Their stories were fabricated.... For what purpose? "

" The story doesn't give enough detail to provide a reasonable basis for evaluation. If the charges involved touching under the clothes, or some such thing, then it is probably true that the charges were either true or fabricated. However, I observed a trial many years ago where it appeared that actions of a man from a more touchy culture were interpreted as sexual when I have observed many such actions as nothing more than loving expression by someone from a culture less uptight about touch than many European cultures. The story here doesn't reveal whether these charges involved conduct susceptible of misinterpretation, or conduct that would clearly be molestation if it had actually occurred. "