Former Gilman School teacher faces court over child pornography charges

BALTIMORE – Christopher Bendann, the former Gilman School teacher who faces charges including child pornography and possession, was forced to participate in jury selection for his trial in federal court Wednesday morning after refusing to leave his cell.

Bendann was arrested in February 2023 after being accused of sexually exploiting a former student between 2016 and 2019.

Judge James K. Bredar ordered U.S. Marshals to pick him up from the Chesapeake Detention Center in Baltimore.

“The U.S. Marshal will IMMEDIATELY deliver the defendant to the Motz Ceremonial Courtroom in the U.S. Courthouse in Baltimore so that the long-scheduled jury trial in this matter can begin,” Judge Bredar’s order states.

Bendann's attorney Christopher Nieto told Judge Bredar that he had previously asked that Bendann be evaluated for suicidal thoughts.

His co-attorney Gary Proctor demanded that Bendann not be “forcibly dragged from his cell.”

He also said he was willing to give up his mandate as a lawyer.

“The fact that he does not appear in court suggests that he does not have confidence in his lawyer,” Proctor told Judge Bredar.

The judge cited a U.S. Supreme Court precedent that requires Bendann to be present “at least at the beginning of the trial.”

He asked Proctor if there was any concern that Bendann was not competent to stand trial. “You can be competent to stand trial and still have suicidal thoughts,” Proctor said.

The suicide and crisis hotline is available around the clock for those in need. by dialing 988.

Former student supports victims

A jury of 78 potential jurors was in the courtroom Wednesday afternoon to select jurors.

Among those in attendance at the event was Atlas Pyke, a former Gilman University student who had come to support the alleged victims of Bendann, who had once been his assistant track and field coach.

“He's a monster,” Pyke said. “I hope he stays away for a long time. I hope it leads to a reckoning with the schools in the area, a lot of cases that are being overlooked or maybe pushed aside.”

Atlas was stunned when Bendann waved at him and tried to talk to him while he waited for the judge to take the stand; this was witnessed by WJZ in the courtroom.

“He waved at me and said my first and last name,” Pyke said. “Impressive recall. It was a while ago. He found out what school I transferred to after Gilman School. 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 in the courtroom and the charges he's facing, it was certainly intimidating.”

Negotiable

Shortly before noon, Bendann appeared in court wearing a suit and tie.

His lawyers filed a request for a psychiatric report to determine his fitness to stand trial.

At the judge's urging, they played a recording of Bendann speaking to his father from prison on Tuesday evening.

When asked if he would appear in court, Bendann said: “I can't.”

He said to his father, “I won't last much longer. I may not even make it until tomorrow.”

The lawyers said they were concerned about his mental state and that he was a risk of suicide. They said it was “detrimental” to their case that he would not help them.

“He seems to get stuck on certain issues and can't get over them,” Nieto told the judge.

Bendann answered a number of questions from the court and told the judge that he was mentally stable.

“I find it difficult to understand how prosecutors can lie and then use it as evidence,” Bendann told Judge Bredar.

He also told Bredar: “I am disappointed with my legal team because they did not allow me to speak to the media, even though I requested it several times.”

Bredar concluded that Bendann was mentally “razor sharp” and capable of standing trial.

“I believe the defendant is heavily involved in the process,” Bredar said.

Bendann said he wanted to be present at certain points in the trial and not at others. Judge Bredar said he would allow that and Bendann could decide on a daily basis whether he wanted to attend.

Bredar warned: “The process will not be stopped or halted.”