Published: June 25, 2009 08:33 pm      

Burton expected to make decision soon

A former Orangefield Junior High School teacher will soon have to decide between going to trial or to plead guilty and accept a plea bargain agreement with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Jennifer Lea Burton, a former coach and teacher, is expected to announce July 13 her intentions before Judge Pat Clark in the 128th District Court. Burton has three second degree felony counts of sexual assault of a child pending against her. If convicted she faces up to 20 years in prison. In addition, she has three counts of an improper relationship between an educator and student which is a third degree felony and carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

Her indictment was handed down in April by the Orange County grand jury. The cases covered a period from September 2008 through November 2008. While working as a teacher/coach at Orangefield Junior High School, the victim was a student of that school.

Burton, 40, turned herself into the Orange County Jail following the indictment. Bond was set at $15,000 on each count of sexual assault and $10,000 on each count of improper relationship. She posted bond and since then she has remained out of jail.

Orangefield Independent School District officials placed Burton on leave on March 30 after learning of the matter and that a criminal investigation had been initiated.

Burton is a 1987 graduate of Orangefield High School, has been teaching within the district since 2003 and has a daughter who attended Orangefield Junior High School at the same time during the time the allegations occurred. As part of her teaching job, she coached volleyball, basketball and track, according to Orange Leader archives.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2603 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.