Charges against a former Alabama high school teacher accused of sex with a student have been dismissed after the alleged victim refused to show up for trial.
Courtney Wallace, now 31, was arrested in 2016 – and later indicted in 2017 – on a charge of a school employee having sex with a student under the age of 19, which is a felony. At the time of her arrest, Wallace was a science teacher at Greensboro High School.
Hale County District Attorney Michael Jackson said Wallace at the time was involved in a relationship with a 17-year-old male student. Charging documents state both oral and vaginal sex took place between Wallace and the student.
Wallace is a Maryland native but has lived in Alabama for the past 15 years. She received her B. S. of Science in Biology from the University of Alabama.
Wallace’s case was set for trial Monday before Hale County Judge Collins Pettaway and the jury had already been selected. However, according to Jackson and court records, the victim refused to appear to testify. “He just wasn’t going to cooperate,’’ Jackson said.
The judge declined to issue a continuance, so the case was dismissed without prejudice. Prosecutors can seek a re-indictment against Wallace in the future, and Jackson said the investigation is ongoing.
Birmingham attorney Raymond Johnson, Wallace’s attorney, said his client denied the accusations against her. "Ms. Wallace stated that she did not have sexual contact with the student,'' Johnson said. “She was a mentor to the student.”
Johnson said they were prepared to go to trial on Monday and vigorously defend the charge. "We’re very glad District Attorney Michael Jackson did the right thing,'' he said.
He said Wallace hopes to teach again at the K-12 or collegiate level. "She can now move on with her life,'' the attorney said. “This has been a very traumatic three years for her.”