MJMANDALAY
02-18-2007, 02:43 PM
A Kittatinny Regional High School teacher accused of allegedly having sexual relations with a 15-year-old student was released on $75,000 bail Friday, after a psychosexual evaluation determined that he is not a risk to flee or a danger to himself or others, authorities said.
James Cunneely, 30, of Hardyston, was arrested Feb. 5 on charges of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact of a girl with whom he allegedly had a five-month rela tionship, authorities said.
Cunneely had been held in the county jail on $75,000 bail since his arrest pending the results of a psychosexual evaluation.
During a bail hearing Friday in Superior Court in Newton, Sussex County Assistant Prosecutor Fran cis Koch said the defense shared the results of the evaluation, and they included that Cunneely's actions were "compulsive and opportunistic" and that he is neither a flight risk nor a danger to himself or others.
However, the victim's statements and Cunneely's alleged ad mission make for a "very strong case" against him, and Koch asked for a bail increase to $150,000.
Cunneely allegedly admitted to having sexual trysts with the girl at several motels, in his car, in her bedroom and even in her mother's bedroom, according to an arrest af fidavit.
In asking for a bail reduction to $50,000, defense attorney James Porfido cited the positive results of the evaluation and noted that Cun neely has no prior record and has strong family ties. His wife, parents and sister attended the hearing.
"His family's been very supportive," Porfido said after the hearing.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Critchley kept the bail at $75,000, in cash, bond or property only, and imposed conditions of Cunneely having no contact with the victim, no unsupervised contact with juve nile girls, and staying at least 1,000 feet away from the victim and the school.
Porfido, who on Thursday took over the case from former defense attorney Damiano Fracasso, said of that change, "The family just decided they wanted to switch directions."
James Cunneely, 30, of Hardyston, was arrested Feb. 5 on charges of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact of a girl with whom he allegedly had a five-month rela tionship, authorities said.
Cunneely had been held in the county jail on $75,000 bail since his arrest pending the results of a psychosexual evaluation.
During a bail hearing Friday in Superior Court in Newton, Sussex County Assistant Prosecutor Fran cis Koch said the defense shared the results of the evaluation, and they included that Cunneely's actions were "compulsive and opportunistic" and that he is neither a flight risk nor a danger to himself or others.
However, the victim's statements and Cunneely's alleged ad mission make for a "very strong case" against him, and Koch asked for a bail increase to $150,000.
Cunneely allegedly admitted to having sexual trysts with the girl at several motels, in his car, in her bedroom and even in her mother's bedroom, according to an arrest af fidavit.
In asking for a bail reduction to $50,000, defense attorney James Porfido cited the positive results of the evaluation and noted that Cun neely has no prior record and has strong family ties. His wife, parents and sister attended the hearing.
"His family's been very supportive," Porfido said after the hearing.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Critchley kept the bail at $75,000, in cash, bond or property only, and imposed conditions of Cunneely having no contact with the victim, no unsupervised contact with juve nile girls, and staying at least 1,000 feet away from the victim and the school.
Porfido, who on Thursday took over the case from former defense attorney Damiano Fracasso, said of that change, "The family just decided they wanted to switch directions."