does a party seem appropriate when there was allegedly some potentially life long trauma to Carly?? now she's all happy and playing? C';mon kids lets go gather around the little girl who was ....by her uncle??? there will be free hot dogs and music!!
facts:
Gary Simpson, at one time for over a year, was appointed legal guardian of Carly with his wife. Her parents had other obligations to the state (jail or drugs habbits), He had picked her up from school many times, also took her to school as well. His wife seemed to believe he had picked her up just like his usual self, and he would return with her.
There were rumors that Gary S took Carly out of town to protect her from "others"
Gary S had never been in trouble with the law, not even a traffic ticket.
Gary S. was a full time care taker for his own adult/ disabled son (wheel chair)
The reward fund was put up by Carly's pediatrician, he examined her after she came home, he was conveniently out of town when she got home, so the exam was conducted later on (10 days- I think??) . But initially it was reported she was unharmed and doing great!!
Said pediatrician seemed to know an awful lot about the brave recovery of Carly and the fearless take down of a little old man who weighs about 120 lbs
Same pediatrician later was convicted of Child S<A , caught a plea deal, on that and served 18 months inside, 10 years probation. A slew of other crimes got swept under the rug.
The kicker.
Carly did not have to testify against Gary S. he was given an Alford plea. The reason was stated that it was not good to traumatize Carly by making her testify, any statements by her were sealed tightly.
Carly's pediatrician got a plea deal, because the 2 boys, whose mother's filed complaints for, were being shown mercy not to have to testify, because it would retraumatize them. In spite of the fact that they were not the only ones who came forward, and in spite of the fact that 2 other young men, not minors or juveniles, came forward to testify, they were deemed unreliable because they had somehow turned out to be criminals!!
https://www.wkrn.com/news/carlie-trents-pediatrician-says-shes-absolutely-doing-great/
NEWS
Carlie Trent’s pediatrician says ‘she’s absolutely doing great’
by: Sarah Denson
Posted: May 13, 2016 / 04:51 PM CDT
Updated: May 13, 2016 / 04:51 PM CDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – After an eight-day AMBER Alert, little Carlie Trent from East Tennessee is finally back home.
“She’s doing great. She’s absolutely doing great,” her pediatrician Dr. Chris Calendine told News 2.
The 9-year-old was released from the hospital Friday after being found in a remote, wooded area with her uncle the day before.
Gary Simpson is charged with especially aggravated kidnapping in her disappearance after he picked her up from school on May 4 and vanished, setting off an extensive search.
While she was missing, Carlie’s pediatrician vowed a $10,000 reward for information that led to her safe recovery.
The doctor doesn’t expect to see Carlie until early next week but said he spoke to her aunt earlier Friday.
“She is thrilled with her new teddy bears that have come from law enforcement, the hospital and different sources,” Calendine said with a smile. “She has her favorite blanky, that was in her backpack, but she is doing great.”
He spoke highly of the two men who found and rescued Carlie, saying “they are amazing” for what they did.
She was located by Donnie Lawson and Stuart Franklin, who set out to search remote, wooded property in the Clinch Valley area with two other friends, Roger Carpenter and Larry Hamblen.
“They are amazing. These gentlemen, they were looking from day one.” Dr. Calendine told News 2. “This had nothing to do with reward money; they wanted this little girl home. They had been out day and night for seven days straight.”
The pediatrician echoed what others have said about the area Carlie was found-it was remote, hard to find, and difficult to travel.
Calendine said there was a gate on the property where a vehicle would fit, but the men didn’t notice any tire tracks and passed over searching the area one day.
The next day-the day they found Carlie-they decided to search the area anyway, according to the doctor.
Once they found her, Calendine says they secured Simpson with a belt and held a gun on him while they contacted authorities.
“But it’s an area where you don’t have cell service, so bless their hearts, one of the gentlemen they had to leave with [Simpson] and the other had to go down to an area where they had cell service where they can call,” he explained.
As for Simpson, he remains in solitary confinement at the Hawkins County Jail.
Due to his uncertain mental state, officers put him in what’s called a “turtle suit” to prevent him from trying to kill himself. He will remain on suicide watch for the next 24 hours.
According to court documents, Friday is his 58th birthday.
https://www.timesnews.net/news/local-news/simpsons-aunt-believes-carlie-abduction-possibly-motivated-by-jealousy/article_51ca95c4-db65-59b4-8e49-81fbeddb6934.html
ROGERSVILLE — Gary Simpson’s aunt said Monday she believes his alleged abduction of 9-year-old Carlie Trent earlier this month, which resulted in an eight-day search, may have been motivated by jealousy.
As he entered the Hawkins County Sessions Courtroom Monday afternoon, Simpson waved to his aunt Lois Salyers in the audience.
With his head shaved and all his facial hair gone, Simpson’s appearance has drastically changed since his arrest. Salyers later admitted that she barely recognized him.
Simpson, 57, 182 Pine Mountain Road, Rogersville, was arraigned May 13 on one count of especially aggravated kidnapping for allegedly taking his niece by marriage from her school on May 4 under false pretenses.
On May 12 Simpson and Carlie were discovered by a citizen search party in a rural area of Hawkins County accessible only by four-wheeler.
Carlie’s rescue was the result of eight days of frantic searching led by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals office, Rogersville police and the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office.
On Monday, Sessions Judge J. Todd Ross ordered Simpson to undergo a mental evaluation at the request of Simpson’s attorney Kyle Vaughn.
Vaughn specifically asked that the evaluation determine Simpson’s ability to “appreciate the consequences of his actions” — and not his competency to stand trial.
Vaughn also has a pending motion to reduce Simpson’s current bond of $1 million.
Ross noted that the bond hearing would require Simpson to testify, and he will not be able to have a motion hearing until Simpson completes his mental evaluation, which should take approximately six weeks.
Ross asked Simpson if he understood what his attorney was asking for and Simpson said he did.
Simpson’s next court hearing is scheduled for July 13 at 1 p.m. in Hawkins County Sessions Court.
Carlie’s parents were in the courtroom Monday, as were several members of Simpson’s family including Simpson’s blind father, Simpson’s step-mother — who is also Carlie’s grandmother —
and Simpson’s paternal aunt Lois Salyers, who is a former Surgoinsville alderman.
Salyers told reporters after Monday’s hearing she doesn’t believe Simpson had any intention of hurting Carlie. She said Simpson and his wife had custody of Carlie for about 18 months while Carlie’s father, James Trent, was in jail on drug charges.
Carlie’s mother doesn’t have custody..
Salyers said Monday she doesn’t know anything for a fact, but she believes Simpson may have been motivated by jealousy.
“Down deep she’s an adopted child to him because they live (next door) and they had custody of her for a year and a half,” Salyers said.
Salyers added, “I think he’s kind of jealous of the child’s father. Gary couldn’t get out and take her places and (Carlie’s father) took them out on the weekends to places. You never know what the situation in his mind was. I feel sure where ever he was at he was listening on the radio in that van, and knew that he was in bad trouble. And then he just kept putting off coming back. That’s what we think.”
Salyers noted that Simpson has never been in trouble, not even a speeding ticket. He mostly stayed at home with his wife Linda and cared for their 32-year-old disabled son.
She said her family has talked about this situation over and over, and they still don’t understand it.
“I feel like he had no business telling the lie at the school,” Salyers said. “I don’t think he had any intentions of hurting the kid. I can’t tell you if there’s anything done to her or not. They say there’s not been, but I don’t know. We’ll know when it’s all said or done, but I couldn’t see him hurting her.”
She added, “We question our own selves day and night, but we haven’t had an answer for it.”
On Wednesday, May 4, at about 1:25 p.m., Simpson picked up Carlie from Hawkins Elementary School, claiming that her father had been in a bad accident and that he was taking her to him.
Simpson reportedly told school officials Carlie probably wouldn’t be back the next day.
Prior to his arrival at school, law enforcement authorities say Simpson had purchased several items at the Rogersville Walmart, including panties, nightgowns, makeup, pants, a camping chair and a blanket.
After he picked Carlie up, the two reportedly went to the Rogersville Save-A-Lot grocery store and purchased canned food, several 12-packs of canned drinks, toilet paper, paper towels, and other items.
The were found by two citizen searchers on four-wheelers off of Debord Road in a far northern section of Hawkins County off of Gravely Valley Road.
Especially aggravated kidnapping is a Class A felony punishable by 15-25 years.
------------------------------
Carlie Trent (KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS) (Photo: Kingsport Times-News)
A Hawkins County judge on Monday ordered a mental evaluation for the uncle accused of abducting 9-year-old Carlie Trent.
Gary Simpson, 58, was scheduled for a preliminary hearing in General Sessions Court in Rogersville on charges of especially aggravated kidnapping and custodial interference.
His public defender, however, asked that he be sent for a mental evaluation.
The judge scheduled Simpson's next hearing for 1 p.m. on July 13.
When Simpson appeared for arraignment in Sessions Court last week, he told a judge he didn't 'understand' why he was being charged with kidnapping.
'I don't understand the kidnapping,' Simpson said, adding that he was being charged with something Carlie's dad's girlfriend did on occasion.
The judge asked if Simpson wanted him to read the charges against him, and Simpson, clad in an orange jumpsuit with Hawkins County Jail across the back, said yes.
The judge then read the warrants charging Simpson with taking Carlie from her school on May 4 by saying her father had been in an accident.
The judge asked Simpson if he had an attorney, and he replied, 'No, I don't.'
The judge then asked Simpson a series of questions to determine if he could afford one. Simpson said that he was unemployed, that he and his wife spent full time taking care of a handicapped son and that their only income was his son's SSI.
Wolfenbarger then appointed the Hawkins County Public Defender's Office to represent Simpson at the preliminary hearing.
Simpson is facing 15 to 25 years in prison if he is convicted of the kidnapping charge. Additional charges may be placed, authorities said.
He is being held in the Hawkins County Jail on a $1 million bond, where he has been placed on a suicide watch.
After he was captured earlier this month, Simpson made no statements to Hawkins County officers, according to Sheriff Ronnie Lawson, referring questions to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. TBI spokesman Josh Devine said no additional details of the incident are expected to be released in the near future.
Searchers found the pair May 12 near Clinch Mountain, concluding an eight-day, intensive manhunt that resulted in an Amber Alert that extended to Missouri and more than 1,500 leads in 19 states.
The Kingsport Times-News contributed to this story.
Judge orders mental evaluation for Gary Simpson in Carlie Trent kidnapping
News Sentinel Staff
Carlie's rescuers believe the Lord led them to her
JEFF BOBO May 11, 2016 Updated Jul 6, 2020
1 of 13
https://www.timesnews.net/news/local-news/carlies-rescuers-believe-the-lord-led-them-to-her/article_27196750-6451-54ef-aebc-1c1045f8f8a1.html
ROGERSVILLE — There have been a lot of prayers for the safe return of 9-year-old Carlie Marie Trent over the past week, and Stewart Franklin credits prayer for Carlie’s rescue Thursday afternoon.
Franklin and his friend Donnie Lawson were searching property in a remote area of Hawkins County near the Hancock line off Gravely Valley Road when they came upon accused kidnapper Gary Simpson and Carlie.
Franklin told the Times-News Thursday night that he couldn’t comment specifically about his encounter with Simpson and Carlie until after he has been debriefed by the TBI — probably sometime Friday afternoon.
He did say that he, Lawson, and others who were searching that vicinity had prayed for direction on where to search.
“We each had a feeling like that was the direction she might be in,” Franklin said.
Franklin described his emotions when he knew they had found Carlie.
“I said to myself, thank you Lord, that we finally found her,” Franklin said. “It was a shock, and it still kind of is. It seems like a dream. It seems unreal that we could finally find her.”
Franklin added, “What I can tell you right now is this is just an answer of prayers, that we found this young lady and got her safely back. There’s been a lot of us praying about where to find her, and this is an answer to our prayers that she’s safe now, and we’re just really thankful for that.”
It was only the second day of searching for Franklin and Lawson, who were on foot Wednesday and riding four-wheelers Thursday.
Two others who’d been searching that same area north of Clinch Mountain — Roger Carpenter and Larry Hamblen — had been out searching for about six or seven days, Franklin noted.
But Franklin said he couldn’t have picked a better partner. Lawson grew up in that community and knows it well.
“He knew every back road, and he knew who to ask other people about,” Franklin said. “He went to a lot of the older folks in the community and got information as to where would be the best place to be checking. His knowledge of that community was unbelievable.”
Franklin added, “Going and looking at abandoned cabins, looking in barns. Any hiding place that could be. We went to a place this morning that was three miles off of the pavement. ... I’m thankful that the folks in the community were busy looking for her, and actually getting out off the road and looking for details.”
As of Thursday afternoon the reward for Carlie’s safe return was up to $40,000. Franklin said, however, he hadn’t given any thought to the reward. He said they weren’t motivated by the reward. They just wanted to bring Carlie home safe, he said.
Given time to consider the fact that he’s up for a share of that $40,000, Franklin said that he could find a good use for his part.
“I would like to be able to put it towards situations like this — children who are in a environment that needs help,” he said. “I would like to take some time to think of what the best way for that to be used, but I would like it to be used toward children who are needing help.”
-----------------------------
Carlie Trent's uncle charged with child rape, kidnapping (Dec 5 2016)
Travis Dormantravis.dorman@knoxnews.com
https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2016/12/05/carlie-trents-uncle-kidnapper-charged-child-rape/95020778/
The Hawkins County man accused of kidnapping his niece, 9-year-old Carlie Trent, in May, now faces charges of aggravated sexual battery and rape of a child, according to the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office.
Gary Simpson
Gary Simpson is charged with especially aggravated kidnapping, custodial interference, rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery, according to the Sheriff's Office. He is being held at the Hawkins County Jail on a $1 million bond.
On May 4, then-57-year-old Gary Simpson picked up Carlie from her Rogersville, Tenn., school after he falsely claimed Carlie's father had been in an accident, authorities said. Simpson once had custody of Carlie and was authorized to pick her up from school, but a court had since returned custody to her biological father. The school was never notified of the change in custody.
Carlie Marie Trent
Authorities issued an Amber Alert for Middle and East Tennessee the next day, and on May 6, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released video of Simpson shopping at the Walmart in Rogersville. Simpson purchased items such as girl's underwear, a bikini, a child-sized nightgown, a folding chair, nail polish and lipstick, authorities said.
After Simpson picked Carlie up, the two went to the Rogersville Save-A-Lot grocery store and purchased nonperishable items such as canned goods and toilet paper.
For eight days, authorities scoured campgrounds across several Southeastern states. TBI spokesman Josh DeVine believed Carlie to be in "imminent danger" and said "there's every indication that (Simpson) intended to go out of sight."
On May 12, two Hawkins County residents, Donnie Lawson and Stewart Franklin, were checking property owned by one of them when they found Simpson and Carlie deep in the woods off Debord Road, the Kingsport Times-News reported.
One man held Simpson at gunpoint while the other called E-911 and rescued Carlie, the newspaper reported.
Authorities initially said Carlie appeared to be in good health.
The Sheriff's Office would not give specifics on the case Monday night.
'She is 10-4': Carlie Trent rescued, Gary Simpson arrested in remote area near Clinch Mountain
Gary Simpson sentenced to 25 years in Carlie Trent kidnapping
by Kaylin Searles
Monday, April 17th 2017
HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Hawkins County judge sentenced Gary Simpson to 25 years on Thursday in the kidnapping of Carlie Trent.
Volunteer searchers found Simpson, 57, and Trent, 9, in a remote area on Clinch Mountain in Edison, Tenn. last May.
Simpson is slated to serve his 25 year sentence at 100 percent. Simpson entered an Alford plea, which indicates that Simpson admits there was enough evidence to convict him in a trial, but does not admit guilt.
Simpson's attorney said a charge of rape of a child was reduced as part of the plea.
--------------------------------------------------
Rogersville pediatrician pleads guilty in child sex case, sentence to 8 years
JEFF BOBO Sep 23, 2018 Updated Apr 26, 2021
ROGERSVILLE — A pediatrician who not too long ago was one of Rogersville’s most beloved citizens will spend the next six months behind bars and eight years on probation after accepting a plea agreement Monday in Hawkins County Criminal Court connected to allegations he sexually abused two juvenile males in 2017.
Dr. Christopher Lawrence “Chris” Calendine, 46, was schedule to stand trial Monday morning on one count of aggravated sexual battery and one count of sexual battery by an authority figure for allegedly touching two boys, ages 12 and 14, during a sleepover at his Rogersville home in July 2017.
On Monday, however, Calendine pleaded guilty to the reduced charge sexual battery, a Class E felony, and was sentenced to two years; as well as the original sexual battery by an authority, for which he received six years — with the sentences running consecutive for a total of eight years.
He must serve 180 days in jail day-for-day beginning Monday, and the rest of the sentence will be served on probation.
Calendine also loses his medical license, and he will be on the sex offender registry for life, which, among other things, prohibits him from being in contact with any juveniles who are not his own children.
Why was the plea deal offered?
Attorney General Dan Armstrong acknowledged that there will be people who believe six months imprisonment is not long enough for these crimes.
“But they also don't know the strength and weaknesses of the case,” Armstrong said. “They also have to realize I'm looking out for the welfare of the victims as best I can. They (the victims and their families) agreed that this was a good resolution of this case.”
Armstrong added, “We decided to let this case plea for three reasons: to protect the public, to protect these particular victims and to make sure we protect any possible future victims by putting him on the sex offender registry. By giving up his medical license and by pleading to this case, we think we've done all three.”
The two victims are now 13 and 15 and would have been subjected to cross examination, where their credibility would have been called into question.
Armstrong added, "This came down to a credibility case, so you can imagine what that's like, going through that."
The original allegations
The original aggravated sexual battery indictment stated that on July 23, 2017, Calendine engaged in sexual contact with a 12-year-old male and that he acted intentionally and knowingly with regard to the victim's age.
The original sexual battery by an authority figure indictment stated that on July 23, 2017, Calendine engaged with sexual contact with a 14-year-old boy and acted intentionally and knowingly with regard to the victim's age.
The indictment further stated that at the time of the offense, Calendine had custodial authority over the 14-year-old victim and used that authority to accomplish sexual contact.
Armstrong added, “I appreciate the work of my assistant Ryan Blackwell and investigator Teddy Collinsworth. They worked hard on this case. We were prepared to go to trial, but I think it was a good outcome to save the victims the stress of a trial and also making sure that he did not practice medicine, especially when it comes to children, and that he go on the sexual abuse registry for life."
Recent identity theft charges
Last month, Calendine was indicted on 39 counts of identity theft, which he also pleaded guilty to Monday. He was sentenced to two years, which run concurrently with the other eight-year sentence.
Armstrong noted, however, that with the additional 39 felony convictions, if Calendine commits any other crimes in his life, he would be sentenced as a career criminal.
The identity theft charges are the result of an investigation by the attorney general’s office into Calendine’s past in which three witnesses were uncovered who made allegations of sexual assault against Calendine dating back to the 1990s.
Armstrong was seeking to have those witnesses permitted to testify before the jury at Calendine's trial.
During the course of gathering information from those witnesses, it was revealed that in 2013 Calendine allegedly sent an email to one of those witnesses in which he admitted to prescribing Aderrall, a Schedule II narcotic, to another male but using the drug himself.
When investigators began looking into the Adderall claim, they compiled enough evidence to acquire indictments on 39 counts of identity theft.
Adderall isn’t mentioned in the indictments, however. Instead, Calendine is accused of acquiring Cytomel tablets, using another person’s identity without that person’s knowledge on 39 occasions between Dec. 15, 2004, and July 29, 2018.
Cytomel is a synthetic form of thyroid hormone used to to treat thyroid cancer patients, but it is also used to increase metabolism and in treating major depressive disorder when used in combination with antidepressants.
Protective custody
Calendine will serve his 180 days of incarceration in the Hawkins County Jail, during which time he will be in protective custody.
Sheriff Ronnie Lawson told the Times News that Calendine will be confined to his own cell for 23 hours per day, and he will be allowed to exercise outside by himself for one hour per day.
Lawson said Calendine’s protective custody is based on the nature of his crime and not his status in the community. Lawson said it is routine in the Hawkins County Jail for inmates accused of, or convicted of certain types of crimes such as sex crimes against children to be placed in protective custody.
Who is Dr. Chris Calendine
Calendine has been a pediatrician in Hawkins County for the past 17 years, including the past year while these charges were looming. He opened Promise Medical Group in Rogersville in February 2017.
He founded ProStrength and Speed, which was a physical fitness program for Hawkins County youths based in Rogersville.
Calendine volunteered as Cherokee High School’s football team physician until December 2016, when he was arrested for public intoxication at a Volunteer High School basketball game and was banned from all county school grounds for two years.
He also made headlines in 2016 when he started a reward fund for a kidnapped Hawkins County child by donating $10,000. That fund eventually grew to $40,000.
Promise Medical Group COO Sheri Ives told the Times News on Monday that Calendine hasn’t been a part of that organization for several months.
“While the events surrounding him are unfortunate, he has not been part of Promise Medical Group for quite some time, and of course, will not be,” Ives said. “We have five very qualified providers who will continue to deliver exceptional care to the people of Hawkins County. Promise Medical is committed to being here for the people of Hawkins County now and for many years to come.”
Ives said Calendine's departure from Promise was "his decisions. Well it was a collective decision, a business decision, and he was in agreement with that."
Carlie's pediatrician puts up $10,000 reward for her safe return
Judge asked to allow testimony of past child sex complaints against Rogersville pediatrician
Pediatrician accused of child sex crimes seeks juvenile records of accusers
Rogersville pediatrician Calendine indicted on sexual battery charges
Dr. Calendine's practice business as usual a day after arrest on child sex charges
Hawkins pediatrician charged with public intoxication at high school basketball game
Calendine removed as Cherokee football team doctor due to P.I. arrest
RCS picks Dr. Calendine's medical group for in-school clinic
ROGERSVILLE — Rogersville pediatrician Dr. Chris Calendine's medical practice was open and seeing patients Tuesday, a day after Calendine was arrested on charges accusing him of sexual battery against two boys ages 12 and 14.
Calendine, 45, of Rogersville, told the Times-News via text message Tuesday, “The accusations are completely false, and I will take every necessary step to prove that. I have been advised to limit any additional statements for now.”
A receptionist in his office said Tuesday that all office appointments would be kept and Calendine's Promise Medical Group will continue business as usual.
On Monday, the Rogersville pediatrician was named in a two-count Hawkins County grand jury indictment.
He was released from the Hawkins County Jail on Monday afternoon on $50,000 bond.
The Class B felony aggravated sexual battery indictment alleges that on July 23 Calendine engaged in sexual contact with a 12-year-old male and that he acted intentionally and knowingly with regard to the victim's age.
The Class C felony sexual battery by an authority figure indictment alleges that on July 23 Calendine engaged with sexual contact with a 14-year-old boy and acted intentionally and knowingly with regard to the victim's age.
The indictment further alleges at the time of the offense Calendine had custodial authority over the 14-year-old victim and used that authority to accomplish sexual contact.
Calendine opened Promise Medical Group in February at 312 Armstrong St. in Rogersville.
Tennessee Department of Health spokesman Bill Christian told the Times-News on Tuesday there is no state law or rule that prompts automatic action against a health professional's license if he or she is charged with a crime.
"Everyone is entitled to due process," Christian said. "However, our health professional boards have broad discretion within their rules and regulations to impose disciplinary action as deemed appropriate."
Calendine has been a pediatrician in Hawkins County for the past 16 years.
He first came to Rogersville through the Kellogg's Program at East Tennessee State University's Quillen College of Medicine, where he received his doctorate in 1997.
ETSU’s 2016-17 catalog lists him as a clinical assistant professor in pediatrics. An ETSU spokesperson said Tuesday that Calendine’s volunteer faculty appointment expired in June and was not renewed.
Calendine has been active in the community during his time in Rogersville. He is the founder of Rogersville-based ProStrength & Speed free youth fitness program.
He was the Cherokee High School football team’s non-paid physician until a public intoxication arrest this past December, which resulted in him being dismissed and banned from county schools for two years.
In May, the Rogersville City School Board of Education agreed to contract with Calendine for his practice to provide school-based health clinic services for the 2017-18 school year.
He also made headlines in May 2016 when he contributed $10,000 to the reward fund for kidnapped third-grader Carlie Trent, a move that sparked other contributions and resulted in the reward growing to $40,000.
There were multiple messages of support on Calendine's Facebook page Tuesday.
One person wrote, "Praying for you Dr. C. I have been blessed to have you as the Dr. of my children and grandchildren. Praying that God closes this before it goes too far."
Another person thanked Calendine for everything he has done for her daughter and added, "I am blessed to know you, you and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for everything you have done for this community, especially for all of our children over the years."
But one parent of children who see Calendine told the Times-News on Monday he will be looking for a new pediatrician. The parent, who asked to remain anonymous, said that regardless of the outcome of Calendine's criminal case he will no longer send his children to Calendine's office due to the stigma now attached to Calendine.
Testimony about previous alleged acts not yet approved by judge
Accuser 1 states that he was around 11 when Calendine was a youth intern/worker at a church summer camp in Oak Ridge when they became acquainted in the 1990s.
Over time Calendine developed a relationship with Accuser 1 and his mother and became a trusted male role model in his life.
Accuser 1 would testify during the trial that he, Calendine, and two other adult males were spending the night at an Oak Ridge residence where he and Calendine shared a room. Accuser 1 states that he was awakened by Calendine attempting to touch his private parts and was later awakened again by Calendine masturbating his private parts.
Accuser 1 also has previous convictions for perjury and statutory rape, which defense attorneys Wade Davies and Heather Good would likely use to damage his credibility.
Accuser 2 claims he was 13 in the early 2000s when Calendine, who was his physician, forged a relationship with him and his mother and became a father figure in his life.
He claims that on his 14th birthday, Calendine took him to eat at Hooters in Johnson City, and then took the boy to his office at the Rural Health Consortium in Rogersville.
Accuser 2 would testify that while at his office Calendine provided the boy with pornographic material and performed a sex act on him.
Accuser 3 states that he had a relationship with Calendine for about 10 years, and he and his brother lived with Calendine for a time.
According to Accuser 3, on a night in 2008, he and his brother were staying at Calendine’s residence. Accuser 3 was on the couch and Calendine on a beanbag beside the couch. Accuser 3 claims Calendine pulled down the blanket in the area of his groin in an attempt to touch him sexually, which scared him, so he ran to sleep with his brother in a bedroom.
Accuser 3 is currently serving jail time in Virginia for misdemeanor convictions, which Davies and Good would likely use to damage his credibility as well.
The defense response to allegations
In her written response, Good asserts that the testimony of Accusers 1, 2, and 3 should not be admitted because trial courts should err on the side of excluding evidence of other crimes, wrongs or acts.
Good notes that proof of the previous other crime or act must be proven by clear and convincing evidence and that Pearson must balance the probative value versus the danger of unfairly prejudicing the jury.
“The state has offered no legally valid explanation as to how the proposed evidence is relevant for any purpose other than to bolster the testimony of the complaining witnesses, and to improperly infer that Dr. Calendine has a propensity to commit sexual offenses — reasons strictly prohibited by (Tennessee Rules of Evidence) Rule 404(b),” Good states.
Good further states, “The proposed evidence would prevent Dr. Calendine from receiving a fair trial on the charged offenses, and should be excluded because any probative value is outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.”
“Dishonest acts” ruled admissible
Pearson ruled Tuesday that should Calendine choose to testify during his Sept. 24 trial, the following evidence is ruled admissible.
1. In 2013, Calendine allegedly used Accuser 3’s likeness and Facebook URL information without his permission or knowledge to obtain pornographic images from someone online.
Calendine subsequently sent Accuser 3 an email from his personal account admitting to using Accuser 3’s Facebook URL to connect with a 19-year-old girl to collect pornographic material.
In that email, Calendine states that he sent a video of himself masturbating for this girl under the guise of being Accuser 3, and he repeatedly apologizes to Accuser 3.
2. Also ruled admissible, Calendine allegedly sent Accuser 3 an email in 2013 admitting to personally taking Adderrall, a Schedule II narcotic, which had been prescribed to Accuser 3’s brother.
The prosecution’s position is that these alleged acts of dishonesty on the part of Calendine should be taken into account by the jury if and when it hears Calendine’s testimony at trial.
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