Fifth Judicial Circuit Associate Judge Karen Wall has denied a request by prosecution to have on administrative leave Danville High School teacher Jorden Richey kept in custody while awaiting trial.
Since the Safe-T Act went into effect in Illinois, ending cash bail, it is the burden of the prosecution to prove that a suspect should not be released before trial.
Judge Wall allowed Richey to be released with some specific conditions, but also stated that she was “not finding him a community danger at this time.”
Richey is facing numerous sexual abuse charges after being told not to report to work towards the end of the school year, when the school district became aware of allegations during a weekend. During the Tuesday morning (July 7th) hearing at the Vermilion County Courthouse, the prosecution revealed that it was on May 17th when Danville District 118 informed the Danville Police and DCFS that allegations were brought forth about possible inappropriate relations between a DHS teacher and a student under 18. The prosecution stated that although the student turned 18 in 2024, allegations from the student indicate that much inappropriate behavior occurred prior to her 18th birthday.
During the Tuesday morning (July 7th) hearing, the prosecution listed some very disturbing accusations before Judge Wall; including physical contact, and extremely inappropriate letters and texts; the defense offered numerous counterpoints. Those included returning home and making contact with Richey once again. The defense also stated that many other former Richey students spoken to by police said they had never seen anything inappropriate between Richey and the alleged victim; and that Richey, who was involved in the theatre department and taught biology, was the kind of young teacher that students could relate to and felt comfortable around. The defense also stated that one person spoken to by police had claimed that a specific teacher was spreading rumors about Richey.
The prosecution objected three times while the defense spoke; with Judge Wall allowing the defense to continue, telling prosecution they would later have their chance at rebuttal.
During rebuttal, one point made by the prosecution was that according to text messages submitted as evidence; when the alleged victim told Richey what he had done was “just awful,” he did not deny the allegations, but often apologized.
Richey’ conditions of release include having no contact with the victim (with defense saying he “wants it that way”), not discussing the alleged victim or the case with any former students, and no contact with minors.
Richey’s next court date is set for Tuesday, July 20th, 2:30 PM, in Courtroom 3B.
