Teacher Accused of Rape Found Not Guilty

Brent Roark was found not guilty after being accused of raping one of his students

Posted on Fri Jan 18, 2008

A former Jefferson City teacher accused of raping a student is found not guilty.

Brent Roark was accused of raping a 16 year student back in 2005.  He took the stand to defend himself and after more than four and a half hours of deliberation the jury said not guilty.

The courtroom was packed most of the day and was even more crowded when the verdict finally came.  The Roark family waited with tears already falling as the jury filed in.  When the not guilty plea came, family and friends cheered.  So much the judge threatened to arrest them, but nothing happened.

The family stayed in the courtroom for awhile hugging and thanking god.  On their way out they didn't really have much to say but outside Roark's grandma did said, "Thank you lord.  Thank you for everybody that has been behind us.  Thank you Jesus thank you Jesus.

The victim in this case was not in the courtroom at the time of the verdict but some of her family was; they quickly left with no comment.  Prosecutor Mark Richardson also refused to comment.