Mar 13, 2007 10:35 am US/Mountain
Teen: McCandless And I Started As Friends
Teen Who Allegedly Had Sex With Former Brighton Teacher Speaks Publicly
NEW YORK (AP) ―
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Carrie McCandless, 30, is now charged with a felony for contacting her alleged victim early last week. She surrendered to authorities early Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. This picture was taken during that booking.
CBS4
A teen at the center of a sexual assault case against a 30-year-old teacher said Tuesday he offered to "take the fall" for their relationship because he had less to lose than she did.
Tommy Clay appeared on NBC's "Today" show, describing his relationship with former Brighton Charter High School teacher Carrie McCandless. She is charged with sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The former social studies teacher and cheerleading coach is accused of giving Clay alcohol and of having improper contact with him while on a school-sponsored field trip to Estes Park in October.
She was 29 and Clay was 17 at the time, authorities said. McCandless was fired. Her husband, Chris, is principal of the school in Brighton, on the northeast edge of the Denver area.
Clay appeared on "Today" with his parents, Mark and Sheree Clay, and an attorney.
Clay said he and McCandless became friends during a summer school session because he found it easy to talk with her.
"And then I guess when we got into a little bit more, got a little bit more intimate," he said.
He said they once sent 76 text messages to each other in one day.
Clay said when another teacher discovered the relationship, "I told Mrs. McCandless that I would take the fall for it. I didn't want her ending up losing her job and I figured I had a lot less to lose than she did."
McCandless also faces charges of violating the conditions of her bond for allegedly contacting Clay after she was released on bail. She has denied that charge.
Her attorney, Michael Trent Trani, has said he is negotiating a possible plea agreement in the case. Trani did not immediately return a call Tuesday.
The allegations against McCandless came to light after a reporter contacted authorities about them.
The president of the charter school's board, David Mundy, faces charges of failing to report child-abuse allegations and tampering with a witness in connection with the case.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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