— by Margie Doyle —
Gerald Grillet-Tinner is in jail pending sentencing, after a 12-member jury found him guilty of two counts of sexual misconduct in the first degree with a minor, County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord said on June 27.
The jury trial, which began on June 13 and concluded with the jury verdict on June 24, arose out of Grillet-Tinner, 59, having sexual contact with a student when he was employed by the Orcas Island School District as a high school science teacher. The student, 19, is defined as a minor under state law.
The jury deliberated for six hours before deciding at 3:40 p.m. on Friday, June 24 that the state had proved all elements of the offense; that sexual contact took place on Oct. 4 and Oct. 6, 2015 at Grillet-Tinner’s home in the Rosario area; that there was a teacher-student relationship; and that there was a 40-year age spread between Grillet-Tinner and the student.
Judge Donald Eaton presided at the trial. Grillet-Tinner was detained pending sentencing and is now at the Coupeville detention facility. Sentencing is scheduled for July 22 at 1:30 p.m. in Friday Harbor.
Thank you to the jury members for their thoughtful diligence in considering this serious case. It may not relieve the victim of emotional scars, but surely the verdict gives validation to the criminal aspect of sexual misconduct.
Hopefully this will help other young people trust their instincts when wrong kinds of sexual advances are made. No! Is a vital word… it takes courage and strength.
I’m glad our community supports and talks about education in preventing sexual abuse. This is a sad story about what can happen to any of our children, any day.
Please be aware. Vulnerable people need affirmation and friendship, not aggression and sexual persuasion. Sexual assault in any form is illegal, wrong and so damaging. Keep the conversation going.
Our children’s lives are at stake. Our community cares.