Trial of former Gilman teacher for sexual abuse begins

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — The trial of a former Gilman School teacher accused of sexually abusing an underage student began on Thursday.

Chris Bendann is accused of multiple counts of sexual exploitation of minors, possession of child pornography, and cyberstalking while working at Gilman School in North Baltimore.

ALSO READ |Federal authorities charge former Gilman teacher with sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography

He was indicted by federal authorities last year after first being charged in Baltimore County.

Bendann refused to be taken to the courthouse for the start of his trial on Wednesday.

A judge ordered U.S. Marshals to return to the detention center and take him to the courthouse.

When he arrived, his lawyers filed a motion for sanity and requested that Bendann undergo a psychiatric evaluation, citing a phone conversation between Bendann and his father on Tuesday in which Bendann had expressed suicidal thoughts. The entire conversation was played in court.

Bendann told the judge on Wednesday that he felt mentally and emotionally stable, but noted that he was frustrated with the justice system and disappointed with the media.

The judge found him sane and said he had a “razor-sharp” mind.

When Bendann finally arrived in the courtroom, FOX45's Maxine Streicher witnessed him waving to two young men behind her.

They told Streicher they were former Gilman University students who knew Bendann and were there to support the victims.

Atlas Pyke said Bendann was his former athletics coach.

“I have mixed feelings. He waved at me and said my first and last name. Impressive memory, it's been a while. He even noted what school I transferred to after I left Gilman School,” Pyke said. “I don't know if he took it as me being there to support him or if he took it as an intimidation tactic. Given the context of the courtroom and the charges he's facing, I was certainly intimidated. He's a monster. I hope he goes away for a long time. I hope it leads to a reckoning at the schools in the area, a lot of proceedings that may be overlooked or ignored.”

Bendann also requested to be excused from the courtroom on Wednesday before jury selection began, telling the judge that there were only certain witnesses he listed by name that he wanted to be present for.

The judge granted his request, but Bendann was present during jury selection.

During the trial, which is expected to last two weeks, the jury will hear from 20 witnesses.

Bendann also informed the judge that he intended to take the witness stand.

Jurors were warned that they would have to see sexually explicit material throughout the trial.