Updated: 08:26 PM EST
Teacher Found Guilty in Hatchet Slaying
Jury Rejects Battered Wife Defense
PONTIAC, Mich. (Dec. 14) - A jury rejected an elementary school teacher's claim of self-defense and convicted her of murder Tuesday for hacking her husband to death with a hatchet.
AP
Nancy Seaman testifies at her trial for hacking her husband to death with a hatchet in Pontiac, Michigan.
Nancy Seaman, 52, faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.
The verdict came after two weeks of harrowing testimony, including graphic autopsy photos of Robert Seaman and Nancy Seaman's tearful claims that she was a battered wife who had been abused throughout her 31-year marriage and was defending herself during an attack by her husband.
Talk About It
ยท Chat | Post Messages
Prosecutors said Seaman argued with her husband on Mother's Day, went to Home Depot to buy a hatchet, returned and killed him with it. Police found Robert Seaman's body in his wife's sport utility vehicle a few days later.
Nancy Seaman claimed that she bought the hatchet for yard work and that the couple got into an argument the next morning in which her husband menaced her with a steak knife. She said she grabbed the nearest thing to defend herself.
She took elaborate steps to cover up her crime, wrapping the body in a tarp and painting the walls and bleaching the floor of the garage where the killing took place. She also shoplifted another hatchet and returned it to Home Depot with her original receipt.
The defense argued that Seaman suffered from battered-woman syndrome, which led her to cover up past abuse and not seek help.
12/14/04 16:03 EST
should probably not be the heading of this post--IMO---
It's a sad, tragic story but one that really has nothing to do with her being a teacher.
And I fail to see the connection of this tragedy with father's rights? the heading on this board? Children involved here? The story does not mention children....
JMO
You're a teacher?
As for the connection to father's rights, society/courts/laws men do all the horrendous crimes.
Have you ever heard of a domestic violence shelter for men?
Have you ever heard of a case where there are two fit parents and the judge rules to make the father "primary residential"?
Last I looked, this was the fathers board. This is a situation where a man is killed by his wife. Domestic violence can be, AND IS committed by women. No gender discrimination on who is capable of violence.
It is a story of interest, thought others would like the read. Hell, she even tried to return the hachet back to the store. SICK
There have been several postings here lately with some teachers in the headlines. Maybe you missed them, sex with young students...
What I am very concerned about is how teachers are somehow put on a pedistal, they need better back ground checks, are they not responsible for the children while they are at school? THAT IS THE CONNECTION HERE. Children are in school an average of 7 hours a day. If the teachers can not control themselves, how do they expect to control the student?
It does not matter if they had children, what matters is the fact it is her career to be a morally proper person, to set an example, to teach children, she has the children in HER care.
"Children learn what they live"
Yes, I've seen the postings here about teaching/teacher's misconduct---and yes, it is horrible..
I've been in the field for over 15 years now and personally speaking, I feel the media coverage, although not so much now, is just a trend of the media to bandwagon on this issue since it was "popular" for a bit...
I have taught in 3 states and have never encountered anyone in this field that resembles these news makers. Everyone I know of that teaches, teaches and yes, raises these students from the heart. I do not think teacher's are the enemy in most situations.
I have also been a member of this board for well over 5 years now (had to change my posting name due to being stalked on here) and I know full well what the issues of this forum and board are about.
The original story, while tragic, is not the norm for teachers and I will base that statement on my own experiences. I do see the connection but unfortunately, this tragedy cannot be undone.
It's a matter of perception, I guess....
>I feel the media coverage, although not so much now, is just a trend of the media to bandwagon on this issue since it was "popular" for a bit...<
Why is it okay to portray men in a negative light? We have been the victims of false allegations, false OOP's and the highlighted gender for domestic violence. So if a woman does it, it is just a trend?
I have yet to see a shelter for men. When you call local shelters and ask what they offer men, you either get a smart remark or a quick hang up.
I never once stated it is a teachers issue to be violent. What I am offended about is the fact with someone who is mentally OFF BALANCE, should have contact with children. More background checks are needed. Police and fire fighters are required to have psychological testing, so should teachers. Our futures are in their hands. HELL, even a court of law will determine that fit parents are tested.
I have two cousins who teach, they are very dedicated and spend a lot of off time hours preparing and grading papers. It is a career. A lifes work.
If the shoe was on the other foot, how do you think a male teacher would have been portrayed?
Yes sir. I have heard of a case where there are two fit parents and the judge rules to make the father "primary rsidential" I have lived it for the last six years along with having the CP PAS my children, Sue me for support and then when I am disabled and my income is reduced to less thatn $1000 a month appeal because he's not getting enough money. Incidentally he makes in excess of 53K. He refuses to work with me on anything. Routienly denies the kids medical care and dental care yet crys to Domestic Relations because I cover them on my insurance and he wants to be "Primary Insured" but my birthday falls earlier in the year.He doesn't understand why he has to loose the support $$$ due to the insurance offset!
I should tell you that I am a nurse. I have held my icense for the last 20 years. I am a certified parent educator. I hold criminal and child abuse clearances. And sir I am a non-custodial parent.
I get only standard EOW and half of all hoildays and Summer ( When the CP doesn't frustate the visitation). I live only 20 minutes from the children yet I cannot see these children anymore often because the CP says so.
I have been investigated by CYS. It was unfounded and the casewoker called it a "spite report". I have had to call the police for a keep the peace assist becasue the SM was so out of control when I tried to breifly talk with the Cp and children during a custody exchange that the only way to transfer custody was to call them for help. This same SM has been rude and harrassing during the children's appointments with doctors/dentists. The CP just told me " You are a pain in my ass and a pain in the ass for the children too". He delivered this nugget of wisdom in a waiting room full of other patients at my son's docotor's appointment because he was upset with me for having scheduled the appointment to get to the bottom of a medical problem. I had requested that he schedule it and he had refused ( as he always does). Yet sir, I am the non-custodial parent. And sir, I am indeed these childrens' mother.
At least we can say the system is equitable. I have all the same complaints as any NCP dad on this site!
My DH's Ex just became a teacher after being a nurse. She kidnapped their child from him and concealed her from my DH for over 16 months. She interferred with our visitations over 33 times. She's filed false police reports. She was in noncompliance with court orders 5 times. All of this in family court.
Now she's a teacher molding the youth of America. Clearly her background check did not include her history in family court...which is public record.
Actually, she's working in an inner city and tells my SD how "STUPID" her students are. She teaches English as a 2nd language to hispanics. By the way, my in-laws (SD's grandparents) are immigrants from South America with limited English. NICE...
Oh...and by the by, my SD went to school last year where this teacher was just convicted of murder. My SD was in 1st grade and this teacher taught 4th grade. I wouldn't be surprised if my husband's Ex coached the woman. And regarding this teacher convicted of murder, she does have a son....WHO TESTIFIED AGAINST HER....the grown son said he never saw his father lay a hand on his mother EVER. This woman said she endured abuse for 31 years...glad the jury saw her for what she was.
And I think the original title of this post "Another Teacher Loses It" was tongue in cheek sarcasm referring to this murdering teacher as well as episodes from Mary Jo Laterno who went to prison for raping her student and the most recently charged teacher who had sex with her student in the back of a car while another student drove.
I could probably retell a thousand "good" ones...
I do understand the concerns and know when I became a teacher, the process to teach in the classroom included an FBI background check....
Perhaps this is where the problem lies? Because, truthfully, I have NO idea what an FBI check is? or what they do?
Just because a person can get a degree to teach does not neccessarily mean they should be around children.
A background check is not enough. Psycholigical testing would be suitable.
WOW. You can truly relate to what we, as fathers face. I know this happens, many NCM's here at Sparc. No one ever mentions how the
courts ruled in favor of the father. The determining factors.
What was the determining factor that caused the father to receive residential custody?
Hope you don't mind my asking.
"Children learn what they live"
and wouldn't it be wonderful to include some "parents" in on this testing?
I'm sure it must aggravate you when you see a teacher, secured by tenure or a strong union, teaching students who have no place doing so.
And as far as parents, look at the lengths that adoptive parents go through to get a child and any ole yahoo can procreate.....there's more diligence when you adopt a dog.