Spectrum 9-04 - The Spectrum Magazine - Redwood City's Monthly ...

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COLUMN As I was Saying ... Continued from Page 9 With rumors spreading around our community like wildfire, let’s take a factual look at this disturbing case and see how it has developed. Boicelli, a former teacher in the Redwood City Elementary School District, faces up to five years in prison for having a baby with her 16-year-old student. She has been charged with, and pleaded not guilty to, one count of statutory rape and three counts of lewd behavior with a minor. The case was first called to the attention of the Redwood City Police Department several years ago — they attempted to investigate claims of unusual behavior by Boicelli and the middle school student in question and that they were spending an inordinate amount of time together at Roy Cloud School, where she was teaching at the time. Boicelli reportedly met the boy at Fair Oaks Children’s Center in Redwood City and a love affair began to blossom. A fellow teacher alerted police to her suspicions in 2002, but there wasn’t enough evidence to charge Boicelli with a crime. Instead, “they both got a talking to” (oh, gee, and a slap on the wrist?). The boy later left for high school and Boicelli moved to Roy Cloud School, one of Redwood City’s most prestigious schools. In March 2004, police received a tip from a fellow teacher there about the inappropriate relationship. The teacher learned from a custodian who became suspicious after finding the two together one evening while cleaning rooms. The police department attempted to investigate, but was not able to develop any evidence until ultimately Boicelli became pregnant and they were able to obtain search warrants to do DNA testing for her, the baby and the student. It is not clear what Boicelli’s professed relationship is with the victim because she has not spoken to investigators. The victim however, was infatuated with Boicelli and believed at the time of the search warrant that he was in a relationship with her. He is reportedly not a willing participant in the prosecution and is not eager to go further with the prosecution. She is being held on $500,000 bail and the baby is under the custody of Boicelli’s parents in Menlo Park. There was also a no-contact order issued between Boicelli and the victim. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 1. For credibility purposes, I do have to inform you that I have met Boicelli, her parents and sibling. All appeared to be fine people, especially her parents. This whole situation is shocking to me as well. Having said that, let’s take a look at where this case is going to go — to trial. Even though the victim in this case is not willing to testify, there is overwhelming evidence with the DNA and there is no possibility that he is not the father of the child which was conceived while he was a minor. Case closed! That is very strong evidence that she was violating the law by having unlawful intercourse with a minor. Regardless of the silly excuses we will all hear from the defense, this is an easy case because they have the DNA. Guilty! I am hearing credible attorneys say that this is a jury nullification case. The kid is now 18 years old, not a minor and has a kid. What is best for that child? Putting his mother in jail? Does that not sound crazy to you? The jury is going to look at this case as a teacher who picked out a kid, had an affair with him for a couple of years and ended up messing up this kid’s head so badly that he doesn’t know top from bottom or that it’s wrong for a adult teacher to have a sexual relationship with a student (or for that matter any minor at all). There are some saying Boicelli is a sick woman (you think?) who needs treatment not incarceration. Anybody who molests a kid needs treatment. I DON’T CARE if you molest a kid because you are sick in the head, you should have gotten treatment beforehand. Hopefully you will get treatment once you are incarcerated and can not victimize more once you are released. Take the treatment and enjoy your life later, girl. What has to happen in this case and others similar, is that a message must be sent to those persons of authority (such as teachers, priests, law enforcement agents, doctors) that if you cross the line with a child to unethical and immoral behavior, you are 26 • February 2005 The Spectrum • Redwood City’s Monthly Magazine “(I remember) ... the good ol’ days when an ‘After-School Special’ was something you watched on television.” —Jay Leno On former Redwood City teacher Rebecca Boicelli going to jail for a long time. It is disgusting that a child can not feel safe attending and parents can not feel safe in sending their kids to school. Unfortunately, I have seen the direct effects of similar situations and it is no badge of honor for a male child to have a sexual relationship with an adult, even his teacher. Oh by the way, there are two words that the defense in this case should be fearful of: Elizabeth Raffaelli, who is prosecuting this case for the District Attorney’s office. She has a solid reputation for her diligence and high conviction rate. She is the best of the best. Do I hear plea bargain? * * * * Maureen Borland, director of the San Mateo County Human Services Agency for 13 years, has announced that she will retire in July. If you will remember, Borland faced severe criticism following the death of an 8- month-old ward of the county who was killed by his father during an unsupervised visit over Christmas 2002. Judge Marta Diaz, who handled the case, said Borland had tried to cover up the facts of the case to protect the agency’s reputation. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors failed to take any substantial action against Borland and she continued in her job. I guess her announcement will do what should have been done months if not years ago. Good luck and don’t let the door hit you on the way out! * * * * I want to take this opportunity to say “Thanks” for all the messages, cards, e-mails etc. sending condolences about my Mom’s passing. The past two months have been very devastating to my family and I but the support we have been blessed with has made it more comforting. * * * * Be thankful for the past, no matter how bad it may seem now and move forward — if nothing else but to make Mom proud! As I was saying . . .
The Spectrum • Redwood City’s Monthly Magazine NATURE Last chance to catch Año Nuevo bus and see the elephant seals is Feb. 27 If this is the year you promised yourself that you would make the trip to the Año Nuevo State Reserve to see the wild and wonderful Northern Elephant Seals, you are running out of time. The SamTrans Año Nuevo package, which includes round-trip transportation to the reserve and a reservation for a three-mile guided walk, is only available until Feb. 27. Ample space is available on Saturday, Feb. 19, and on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 21. SamTrans leaves from two locations for this special service: Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo and Albertson’s shopping center in Half Moon Bay. The two-and-one-half hour walk is conducted rain or shine. The entire trip, including the ride to the reserve, takes approximately six-and-one-half hours. Visitors traveling to the reserve by private car cannot use tickets purchased from SamTrans for their tour. For more information or to request a reservation form, call the SamTrans Año Nuevo hotline at 650-508-6441. People with hearing impairments may call (TDD only) 650-508-6448. Reservation forms also are available online at www.samtrans.com W HY C HOOSE R EDWOOD G ENERAL T IRE ? ASE Certified A family owned and operated business since 1957 . • Air Conditioning service, repairs & retrofit • Clutch Repairs • Transmission Service Coolant service & Flush • Fuel Injection System Service • Lubrication & Oil Change service Smog Inspection & Certification (cars, trucks & RVs) Gold Shield Certified Scheduled Maintenance 30k, 60k, 90k • Alignments computerized, front & rear • Brake Service cars, light trucks, RVs • Tire Repair high performance specialist • Computerized Road Force Variation Balance 1630 BROADWAY, REDWOOD CITY 650-369-0351 www.redwoodgeneral.com W HY N OT . Approved Auto Repair 0045676601 February 2005 • 27
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