Severna Park Elementary School Teacher's Wife Quietly Mouths 'I Love You' While Departing Witness Box After Delivering Emotional Testimony Before Defendant Takes the Stand in Own Defense

Today, Matthew Schlegel's wife quietly mouthed "I love you" to her husband as she exited the witness box before he took the stand in his own defense. 

Schlegel, the former Severna Park Elementary School teacher who is accused of sexually assaulting several of his 3rd grade students, was visibly emotional, wiping away tears during his wife's testimony, which detailed the events leading up to his arrest by the Anne Arundel County Police Department.

Mrs. Schlegel recounted the family's experience after the allegations became public, including being followed and an explosion occurring outside their home. She described the day of her husband's arrest as chaotic, with a SWAT team emerging as they left their house that morning. She also told the jury that an expletive had been spray-painted on the ground near their home, and flyers with Schlegel's picture and a "pedophile warning" had been distributed in their neighborhood mailboxes.

When Schlegel took the stand, he repeatedly denied the allegations on direct examination. When asked by defense counsel if he was aware of the allegations, he replied, "Yes I am." To the question, "Did you commit these crimes that you are accused of?" he responded, "No I did not." On cross-examination, Mr. Schlegel acknowledged, with pictures of the alleged victims displayed, that he was a well-liked teacher who had no reason to believe any of his students or their parents were out to get him.

Mr. Schlegel is currently facing a jury of seven men, five women, and four alternates. He is charged with twenty-two crimes, including sex abuse of a minor, second-degree assault, and third- and fourth-degree sex offenses. These charges stem from claims of improper physical interactions with students at Severna Park Elementary School. Mr. Schlegel has consistently denied these allegations and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Both sides have now rested their cases and after closing arguments, they will begin preparing jury instructions before deliberations commence.

At least one of the families of the children have filed a civil suit against Schlegel, the School Principal and the Anne Arundel County Public School System. To read the complaint, go to: Mother Doe vs AACPS, et al. 

***The filing of a lawsuit is not indicative of guilt or wrong doing on the part of any of the parties involved.***

***Any suspects/arrested/charged individuals and persons of interest named or identified in the articles are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.*** 

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