WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsTonya Craft: Teacher on Trial (Day 18)

Tonya Craft: Teacher on Trial (Day 18)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5TH

Follow WRCB's Melydia Clewell and Callie Starnes on Twitter. Get updates from the field and courthouse at Facebook.com/WRCBtv. Legal analysis on-air from WRCB Legal Analyst McCracken Poston.

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Updated 3:15pm

ADA Chris Arnt cross examining Laurie Evans. Refers to questions asked during direct as "games."

Arnt asking Evans about her depositions. Says she got very few breaks during them.

Arnt asks how much money Laurie Evans has spent on attorney fees in relation to what D-Lo asked her about. She says $5,000 and counting.

Laurie Evans says she ignored subpoena from Judge Williams because TN papers can't be served in GA.

D-Lo objects, asking Arnt to lay foundation on how Evans knows what girl was thinking during interview. Overruled, allows questions.

Evans says she used same procedure with all 3 accusers. Says everything in interviews was introduced by children.

Updated 2:57pm

108 people are in the courtroom to hear Evans' testimony.  

After going through list of what Evans didn't do in her assessments, D-Lo is finished. 15 min break then cross.

When asked if 2 yrs of therapy for abuse didn't happen could have negative impact Evans says accusers didn't exhibit any delusions.

Evans says she addresses symptoms, not whether abuse is real or not.  

Evans testifies she is still treating accuser 3 currently. 

D-Lo now asking about Evans' involvement w/ 3 accusers, and her knowledge of studies.  

Updated 2:20pm

D-Lo: "Have you ever heard if it's not documented it didn't happen?" Evans: "Yes" There aren't treatment plans for either child.  

A pan shot of the courtroom shows a full house

D-Lo asks for Evans to show her the treatment plan set for Tonya Craft daughter. She's looking 

Evans testifies she rarely takes notes while conducting evaluations.   

D-Lo asks if Evans was experiencing PTSD when she counseled kids. She says no she wasn't. Before she said she didn't have PTSD.  

Candy delivered to pool room. I won't say who the delivery boy was, but he earned points. 

D-Lo asks Evans what difference is between emotional distress and PTSD. She's going through criteria, "let me think"  

Evans says #TonyaCraft's 2nd child was "emotional and moody" but was not diagnosed. Her assessment is 20 words long. 

Most used phrases by witness: "It's more complicated than that", "I'm not sure", "I don't know", "excuse me"  

Hard to say if this witness is trying to be difficult or just comes naturally.  

Updated 2pm

D-Lo continues to go around and around w/Evans trying to get a straight answer on things. D-Lo: "Took me about 15 ?'s to get you to say yes"

Evans testifies she received referral before evaluating kids. Won't admit in court Det. Deal made reference, but deposition shows he did. 

Deposition indicates that Evans received info from Det. Tim Deal on investigation while treating #TonyaCraft's kids. 

D-Lo asks Evans if she told anyone the police were a primary source when developing a diagnosis. She says no.  

Evans says she never contacted #TonyaCraft during process of evaluating her children, just kids' dad and stepmom. 

Evans says she diagnosed child primarily on the things he told her.  

Evans diagnosed child w/ child with major depressive disorder, recurrent, and severe.   

Evans answering ?'s about evaluation/therapy notes from meetings w/ #TonyaCraft's son during custody case.

while asking what D-Lo is asking. D-Lo: "Do you think this is funny ma'am?"

Just heard a cellphone ring in the courtroom. D-Lo: "Now how does that happen? I can't even get mine in here"  

Court back in session. D-Lo continuing to question Laurie Evans.

Updated 12:27pm

Court breaks until 1:10. 

D-Lo stops figuratively beating his head against wall for answers and tells judge "I have a splitting headache, can we stop for lunch?"

D-Lo keeps making the reference to "chasing" Evans around looking for answers. Evans uses the word "potentially" a lot. She won't answer questions with a "yes" or "no"  

Evans says her attorney may have indicated that there was potential for the order to cost Evans $.  

D-Lo: "Do you remember saying it would cost $ if order was used against you?" Evans: "No, I don't"  

D-Lo gives up asking Evans why she was scared order would be used against her, after she says "it's more complicated than that"

D-Lo having to dance to make sure witness doesn't say what was said in order. Judge won't allow it.  

Update 12pm

Evans says she was worried the order would be used against her in other cases.  

D-Lo points out order mandating a change in counselors is 9 lines long and states Evans be "barred" from case.  

All of the documents D-Lo is referring to are not available to the media at this point. I look forward to reading them eventually. 

D-Lo continues to hammer away on when Evans found out about the order. She's stuck on difference between words: "notice", "order", "motion"   

In a Dec 16th deposition Evans states she wasn't given notice about motion. 20 mins ago she stated she was given motion on Dec. 11th 

Evans being asked about deposition. Her attorney sent a letter requesting she not have to appear for deposition.  

Another Arnt objection, D-Lo instructs witness not to say what someone else said. House reprimands D-Lo for "snide comment"

D-Lo asking again about when she found out about order stating she couldn't counsel  

Evans says she was held in contempt of court for a miscalculation in her divorce.  

D-Lo asks Evans if anyone has ever accused her of falsely accusing them. She says not that she's aware of.  

D-Lo gives up his ?'s about Evans' divorce after objection after objection.  

Update 11:40am

Evans says she hired a lawyer to send a letter addressing a request for additional depositions with Evans.

Another Arnt objection, defense instructs witness not to say what someone else said. House reprimands defense for "snide comment."

Defense now wants to discuss affidavit of Laurie Evans in Tonya Craft custody case.

Evans being asked about deposition. Her attorney sent a letter requesting she not have to appear for deposition.

Update 11:32am

Defense asks Evans if anyone has ever accused her of falsely accusing them. She says not that she's aware of.

Defense: Has anyone ever said you falsely accused them of sexual abuse? Evans: I'm not sure I understand your question.

Evans says she was held in contempt of court for a miscalculation in her divorce.

Update 11:20am

Laurie Evans won't give a "yes" or "no" answer. Every response is prefaced by "It appears to be" or "I believe so"

Evans continues to struggle to understand what defense is asking, continues to say "I don't remember."

Arnt objects again to defense asking about divorce documents. Both sides approach the bench.

Update 11:12am

Several objections from ADA Arnt as defense asks Evans about things her attorney entered into court that include a doctor evaluation.

Update 11:00am

Evans says she can't remember if in deposition she was sworn in. Records show she was. She recalls it now.

Evans asked to read from deposition. She was asked if she was ever treated for mental disorder. She answered no.

Defense: "That true" Evans: "For me, yes" Evans then explains in court she was thinking they were asking about specific disorders.

Evans admits in court she suffered from "emotional stress" doesn't admit to being treated for PTSD.

Evans says her lawyer called her doctor to testify about her disorder. Doctor testified she had PTSD.

Update 10:45am

Evans says the children's attorney never talked to her about why she wanted Evans fired. Says she found out in a hearing.

Defense to Evans: "Is there something wrong with your memory? Have you had problems with your memory?" Evans: "No"

Evans having trouble recalling dates, time line. Asks defense after every question what he is asking.

Records show Evans wrote in treatment notes about hearing of court order. Evans says she doesn't know if her file is correct.

Evans had a 2nd deposition w/attorneys on Dec. 30th - 25 days after 1st deposition. Video was taken of both.

Update 10:30am

Evans was asked questions under oath by Tonya Craft's attorneys, and another attorney during Craft's custody hearing in Ham. Co. in Dec. 2008.

Evans is a licensed social worker in GA and TN

Defense attorney asks if 77 pages he is holding is complete file on girls' treatment. Evans: "I assume so

Update 10:22am

Evans is identifying treatment notes she made while counseling 3 alleged victims at CAC in Fort. O.

Evans being asked about documents from her work w/accusers. Includes dated info on forensic interviews, med info, etc.

Seem closed door meeting included Evans and her attorney.

Update 10:17am

Defense calls Laurie Evans, counseled Tonya Craft's child accusers.

Update 10:13 am

Jury coming in. Court is finally in session.

10:10 and still court is not in session. Normally we are taking our first break by now.

Judge Williams denied motion, saying part of her decision based on Evans' "lack of objectivity" in Craft custody case.

Therapist Laurie Evans deemed not credible by HamCo Judge Marie Williams in Dec 08, Evans asked for relief from order.

Tonya Craft just walked out to see her husband. Gave him a kiss and walked in courtroom. Looks like court will start soon

Update 9:20am

9:15 and court hasn't started, still trying to get crowd of spectators through security

Just spotted Laurie Evans, woman who counseled 3 girls. Predictions are she and Tonya Craft's husband will take stand today.

Quick head count shows 42 people sitting behind Tonya Craft, 22 behind the prosecution. Court room still filling in.

Update 7:30am 

The defense team for Tonya Craft will continue its side of the case at 9:00 a.m. Check back for updates here all day.