Bond for charged teacher reduced to $100K

Published 10:20 pm Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Selma High School teacher LaTanglia Williams faced District Judge Bob Armstrong in court for her bond hearing Tuesday, where her bond of more than $1 million was reduced to a $100,000 consolidated bond.

Williams’ mother, Geraline Williams, testified on behalf of her daughter as being a lifelong church member and was someone who never used drugs or alcohol.

LWilliams_mugshot_forwebGeraline said her daughter was one of the most dependable people she knew and, “lots of people depended on her,” when asked if she thought Williams would be responsible enough to attend all court dates.

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Assistant District Attorney Lloria James asked Geraline whether or not she would be shocked if she were to learn her daughter LaTanglia, “had several items on her cell phone that were extremely sexual in nature depicting a minor.”

James also asked her if she would be shocked to learn of a video on Williams’ phone, where during class at Selma High School, Williams filmed a female student doing a strip tease and taking off her clothes while Williams sang a popular song and students watched.

Geraline responded, saying  she would be shocked to learn of these allegations.

Armstrong did not set the new bond amount in court Tuesday, but he later reduced the bond to $100,000.

“My philosophy has always been and my track record will show that bonds are supposed to be reasonable, except when someone is a danger or a flight risk,” Armstrong said Tuesday in court. “I have consistently set bonds high to keep people off of the streets who are dangerous and violent. And even though those these charges are of the most serious type, I have heard the testimony and she has no criminal record and is a responsible citizen, unlike the people I usually see.”

He said Williams did not fit in the category of someone who would be violent and dangerous, but he still set parameters for if and when she would make bail.

Armstrong also ordered Williams will not be allowed to have contact with children, organize or coordinate youth events for her church or sorority as she has in the past, contact the alleged victims and their families, and she is to live with her parents until the time of her trial.

Williams is also barred from going to any school campus.