Mitchell Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge
Social studies teacher avoids trial on sexual battery charges
As of Sept. 7, the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts’ website states that Timothy Mitchell pleaded guilty to a charge of child endangerment.
Social studies teacher Timothy Mitchell, 59, pleaded guilty to a charge of child endangerment Sept. 7 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and will surrender his teaching license.
The plea comes nearly four months after he pleaded not guilty to a felony sexual battery charge at a May 9 arraignment.
According to cleveland.com, prosecutors say that in 1995, 36-year-old Mitchell took a 16-year-old student to a baseball game, bought her alcohol and gave her marijuana. After the game, they claim, he had sex with her.
His trial on the felony indictment was to occur Oct. 2. If found guilty of sexual battery, Mitchell would have faced a mandatory sentence ranging from one to five years in prison. Additionally, Mitchell’s teaching license would have been automatically suspended by the state board of education.
However, according The Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts website, Mitchell requested a delay of the final pre-trial hearing July 24 because he was discussing a plea deal.
On Sept. 7, he retracted his plea of not guilty and entered a plea of guilty to a revised child endangerment indictment.
According to the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts docket, Mitchell is required to give up his teaching license and will have a sentencing hearing with the County Probation Department Oct. 12.
Executive Director of Communications and Public Relations Scott Stephens and Dr. John Morris, president of the Shaker Heights Teachers Association and high school English teacher, did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication.
Mitchell’s attorney, Kevin M. Spellacy, and prosecuting attorney Jeffrey S. Schnatter could not be reached for comment.
The Shakerite will continue to cover this story as it develops.
