Published: June 17, 2008 10:55 pm         

Bail reduced for ex-principal accused of sex crime

TERRE HAUTE — A former high-school principal and teacher accused of sexual misconduct with a minor had his bail reduced Tuesday.

John Beatty, 73, of Martinsville, Ill., went before Judge Dexter Bolin, sitting in Vigo County Superior Court Division 6 for Judge Michael Lewis.

Beatty’s bail was reduced from $75,000 cash to $50,000 with 10 percent allowed.

Beatty, who was an educator for 20 years in Martinsville, has been charged with three counts of class-B felony sexual misconduct with a minor in connection with his relationship with a 14-year-old boy in Terre Haute. Beatty maintains his innocence, claiming he thought the boy was 18.

Beatty is represented by Terre Haute attorney Ed McGlone, who questioned the longtime educator and community volunteer about his criminal history (he has none) and his ties to his community.

Beatty has been married to his wife for 52 years, and they have one grown son who is living. Two sons are deceased, Beatty told the court.

He has been a longtime member of his church, the organist for the church, a volunteer for the community food bank in Martinsville and a member of the Clark County, Ill., extension board, he said.

Beatty also told Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rob Roberts that his ties to the Terre Haute community included volunteering for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and serving on the Terre Haute Symphony board several years ago. He told Roberts that after he retired, he helped two of his friends at a business they owned in Terre Haute.

He told the court he has been serving as a caregiver for his wife after an accident caused her to be confined to a wheelchair eight years ago.

Roberts, in an attempt to show that Beatty might not have a place to go if released on bail, asked Beatty if he knew whether or not he was welcome back in their home. Beatty answered that he was, despite the fact that he has not spoken directly with his wife since his arrest May 30. He said that she has not been able to visit the jail, but that his attorney and close friend in Martinsville has been helping facilitate communication.

Roberts told the court that Beatty should not get his bail reduced because “he has had an ongoing relationship with a 14-year-old boy … the only reason he has no prior criminal record is because he wasn’t caught sooner.”

Beatty’s jury trial has been scheduled for Nov. 17.