Wednesday, February 23, 2000
Teacher gets $5M for humiliation
Ex sent 'filth' using her name
BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — A Ryle High School teacher was awarded $5 million Tuesdayfor humiliation, embarrassment and fear she endured at the hands of her former fiance, already convicted of hiring someone to kill her.
Boone Circuit Judge Jay Bamberger decided Sarah K. Jackson deserved that amount after hearing her testify that Randall Cope sent “filthy,” incriminating e-mail messages in her name.
The messages received by her friends, colleagues and fellow church members were of a sexual nature. In some, she “confessed” to using sex as a motivator and having sex with 30 students, both male and female.
Ms. Jackson was subjected to a school investigation as a result.
“How embarrassing,” said the judge.
Tuesday's proceedings in Boone Circuit Court concluded Ms. Jackson's civil defamation lawsuit against Mr. Cope — her lover of four years and high school prom date.
The former businessman, 41, of Benton, Ky., and his brother, Terry, 44, of Hendersonville, Tenn., were recently convicted in U.S. District Court of conspiring to have her shot in January 1999 and later hiring someone to kill her.
They will be sentenced in May. They face life in prison.
Ms. Jackson's attorney, Phil Taliaferro of Covington, said the award — $5 million in punitive damages and $3,300 in compensatory damages — sends a powerful message.
But he conceded that getting the full $5 million might be difficult.
Mr. Cope had several properties valued at up to $300,000, which he has transferred to his ex-wife. Litigation alleging fraudulent conveyance has been filed in Marshall County.
While testifying Tuesday, Ms. Jackson said Mr. Cope was bent on destroying her career, reputation and relationships after she broke up with him in 1997.
Several months later, she learned Mr. Cope had illegally accessed her e-mail account, sent sexual messages to people she knew and sent messages while in sexual chat rooms.
His actions came to light, she said, when she received responses to the illegal messages and discovered many of the incriminating messages at the principal's office.
The messages led to a fear for her life, she said.
After being shot at, she sold her condominium and began staying with fellow church members for three days at a time.
“It was intolerable,” she said. “I was living in fear.”
Win fires up Ohio McCain camp
Tainted vote opportunity for renewed faith
Report: Ozone increases illnesses here
Rural county awaiting flood of casino cash
Web sites offer college-class notes free
Failing students get second chance on Internet
Hitchhiker wanted in shooting along I-75
Manatee exhibit extends to Florida
River falling; rain returning
'Come Home' lures inactive Catholics back to church
County public defenders' pay raised
Kroger chief donates $1M to Catholic schools
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Santana should see 'Smooth' sailing at Grammys
GET TO IT
How long game shows thrive is anyone's guess
Adults added to marijuana case
Attorney asks dismissal of sex-abuse case
Contract may lure drivers to Metro
Death sentence is upheld
Delhi yearns for mail upgrade
High court hears case by Batavia bus drivers
Lawyer appeals Christmas decision
Lebanon city manager keeps his job
Man charged in shooting death
Mason chili champ relishes his victory
Police oppose teen club
Pressure pledged to widen road
Public can join school project
Teacher gets $5M for humiliation
TRISTATE DIGEST
Warren County looks for ways to help farmers preserve land
Y gets aid to warm frigid gym
