
Former high school teacher Jill Lamontagne [photo], was indicted December in Maine on multiple sexual assault charges for improper contact with her student
In a motion filed in York County Superior Court, Lamontagne’s attorney Scott Gardner asked that the photos of the texts be excluded, calling their credibility into question.
Related: Married teacher indicted on 14 sexual assault charges! Mother-of-two Jill Lamontagne, was exposed after her 17-year-old student lover tried to kill himself
A hearing on the motion is scheduled for June 11 at York Superior Court, with the trial slated to begin July 23.
The motion filed by Gardner asks the court to consider the “ease at which the identity of a text message sender can be manipulated; and the simplicity of deleting portions of a text message.”
Gardner’s motion also calls into question the timing of the delivery of the photos to Kennebunk Police, which he said was weeks later, and their credibility because he said they were taken by the victim’s mother.
Gardner also asserts in the motion that the text messages are not the “original writings” sought to be admitted and should be excluded at trial.
Lamontagne was indicted last fall on six counts of gross sexual assault, two counts of unlawful sexual contact and six counts of sexual abuse of a minor.
In a prior interview, Gardner said, “My client maintains her innocence because she is innocent. She’s saying ‘I didn’t do this’ and wants to prove it,” Gardner said. “She’s traumatized by these accusations and events. It’s been very, very difficult for her.”
Jill Lamontagne [photo], with her husband and son, allegedly told the victim she hadn’t had a sexual relationship in two years prior to their trysts
The allegations against Lamontagne came to light last June when a protection from abuse order granted in Biddeford District Court ordered her to have no contact with the 17-year-old student.
Lamontagne, who taught health at Kennebunk High School for five years, resigned from the position in September, prior to the start of the school year.
The court documents state Lamontagne engaged in sex acts a number of times with the student “in the classroom, in her car and at her house.”
Documents state the student was admitted to Maine Medical Center in Portland last June for the ingestion of Tylenol, ibuprofen, cold medicine and Warfarin, a blood thinner. According to documents, the student revealed to his mother and a nurse at the hospital that he loved the married teacher, and he ingested the medications to attempt suicide.
Lamontagne, who pled not guilty to 14 charges in December, including six counts of gross sexual assault, is accused of engaging in sex acts on several occasions with the teen “in the classroom, in her car and at her house,” according to court documents.
If convicted of the Class C felony, the former teacher faces up to five years in prison for engaging in sexual contact with someone under age 18 who was in her care.
According to the Biddeford Journal Tribune, Lamontagne’s attorney claims that the existence of the texts didn’t happen until weeks later and were taken by the male victim’s mother.
Scott Gardner said his client “categorically” denies the charges, that she is traumatized by the accusations and wants to prove her innocence: “The allegations arise from a high school rumor resulting from the fantasies of a (then) 17-year-old student,” Gardner said.
The teen who was admitted to Maine Medical Center last June after ingesting a mix of medicines including Tylenol, cold medicine and a blood thinner in a suicide bid, also told his mother and a nurse at the hospital that he loved Lamontagne.
Lamontagne, who is married, was placed on administrative leave in June and resigned her position in December. She faces up to five years in prison if convicted. Her trial is scheduled to begin in July.
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