RINGGOLD, Ga. - Tonya Craft repeatedly denied ever harming children during testimony today in her criminal trial.
Ms. Craft stepped up to the stand about 3 p.m., appearing to be near tears. In a quiet voice, she immediately started her denials of wrongdoing.
"I'm here because I've been falsely accused," she said.
There were immediate squabbles with the judge and the defense team. Defense attorney Demosthenes Lorandos was speaking in a loud voice as he asked Ms. Craft why she would take the stand when the law doesn't require her to do so.
That prompted Catoosa County Superior Court Judge Brian House to order all the attorneys to his chambers after he scolded them for playing to the media and the jury and saying the matter already was discussed in closes quarters.
Court resumed, and repeatedly, almost with humor at times, the defense asked Ms. Craft if certain actions meant she was a child molester. At one point, when testifying that she lived with her first husband before marriage, Mr. Lorandos replied, "Uh oh, does that make you a child molester?"
Each time, Ms. Craft replied "no" and, in one instance, she made the reply emphatically: "I did not and I have not sexually abused any child."
Courtroom testimony today also included David Craft, Ms. Craft's husband.
Court proceedings are expected to resume Friday morning.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.