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  Geisel Agrees to Rape Case Deal
Former CBA Teacher to Serve 6 Months; Advocacy Group Says Sentence Too Light

By Michele Morgan Bolton
Albany Times Union [Albany NY]
September 27, 2005

ALBANY -- As expected, a former Christian Brothers Academy teacher accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student took a plea deal on Monday, landing a 6-month jail term and 10 years' probation.

"Obviously, nobody's happy with the situation," said defense attorney Donald Kinsella. "I don't think confinement is the issue," he said. "Alcohol is the nature of her problem."

Based on time served and merit credit, Sandra Beth Geisel will be released about two weeks after her Nov. 21 sentencing.

The 42-year-old mother of four will be listed on the state Sex Offender Registry and receive treatment for alcohol and mental health issues.

The guilty plea to one count of third-degree rape and a misdemeanor DWI charge satisfied all charges against the former English teacher, including an August drunken driving arrest on Catherine Street.

Geisel took the plea deal because a trial would hurt her family, Kinsella said.

Despite criticism from the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, Albany County District Attorney David Soares said Geisel did not get off easy.

"She will be in jail. She will be supervised. She will be on the sex offender registry," he said. "This is not a light sentence."

But SNAP co-director Mark Lyman ripped Soares for perpetuating a double standard, pointing to his oath, upon taking office, to have one system of justice for all.

Geisel got a sweet deal, he said. At the same time, Malcomb Kogut, former music director of St. Gabriel's Church in Glenville, got up to 3 years in prison for having sex with a 15-year-old boy.

"Though he has talked tough regarding the prosecution of this Catholic school teacher, the plea bargain is not in the best interest of those within his jurisdiction," Lyman said, noting Geisel allegedly had sex with several teenagers under her supervision.

Geisel's case has generated national attention and local debate about whether statutory rape cases are handled differently depending on the gender of those involved.

"We still do have a bit of a double standard," said Richard Hamill, an Albany therapist who oversees the five-county Capital District Coalition for Sex Offender Management. "But I really think that most men, if they gave it serious consideration, would not want this to happen to their 16-year-old son."

On Monday, Geisel abandoned all claims that it was the student who forced her to have sex in May. In court, the former writing instructor was remarkably composed as she avoided contact with reporters by locking eyes with Albany County Judge Stephen W. Herrick.

"Are you thinking clearly? Do you know what you're doing?" Herrick asked.

"Yes, sir," Geisel replied.

"Have you considered the consequences to you, your family and those who care about you?" he pressed.

"Yes," she whispered.

"And are you pleading guilty because you are, in fact, guilty of rape third and DWI?" Herrick prompted, as Geisel's gaze never left his. "Yes," she said.

The Colonie resident was fired from the Catholic boys school in June after Cohoes police said they found her in the back seat of a car with a 17-year-old student.

The 16-year-old came forward with allegations shortly thereafter. Had the case gone to trial, and Geisel was convicted, she could have served up to 4 years in prison on each count.

The parents of one student have filed a notice of claim against CBA, which preserves the right to sue, said Albany attorney Mae D'Agostino. D'Agostino said the school hopes families will decide against bringing lawsuits. But if they do, "they will be defended vigorously," D'Agostino said, adding it would include a close look at the young men's sworn depositions.

 
 

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