By SUSAN WHEELDON CJ Staff Writer
Somerset — When an adult student with the Upward Bound program accused Northern Middle School teacher Ken Shadoan of sodomizing him, Shadoan’s world was turned completely upside down.
He was fired from his job and, since last August, has spent his own money defending himself not to mention the hours in courtrooms.
On Tuesday, Shadoan was vindicated when all charges against him were dismissed.
“It was one person making an accusation. It makes you realize that it can happen to anyone,” Brenda Popplewell, Shadoan’s attorney, said after Whitley Circuit Court Judge Jerry Winchester tossed out the sodomy charge against Shadoan and a jury found him not guilty on a lesser count.
That’s not to say that Shadoan has been fully restored to his station before the charge. Today he is still without a job. Nevertheless, his attorney considers the court action to be a first step in getting his life back.
Following the judge’s ruling, the jury considered a sexual misconduct charge lodged against Shadoan and also found him to be not guilty.
To build their defense, Popplewell said they found every other person who was in the tent during the time Shadoan supposedly committed the crime and had them supeonaed to court. She said all of those people testified that the incident didn’t happen.
The accuser was a student in the Upward Bound program at Berea College and the group had gone on a camping trip to Cumberland Falls when the incident was alleged to have happened.
Popplewell added that though all evidence was contradictory to the one person accusing Shadoan of the crime he was still indicted.
“It’s troubling that Ken or anyone can be accused so easily,” said Popplewell.
Shadoan said he was totally shocked by the allegation and throughout the trying time has been grateful for all the support he has received.
“I’ve had a lot of teachers and firends who have contacted me and told me they had faith in me and couldn’t wait until it’s all over. I’ve had a lot of great support,” said Shadoan.
“Ms. Popplewell did an outstanding job in court and throughout the year. I was extremely lucky to get her as my attorney,” said Shadoan.
“I will be real glad to get my life started back and am thankful for those who stood by me.”
