Witness: Assistant Principal's Alleged Victim Hid Under Bed

Larry Jewell

Defense attorneys for a former Raleigh assistant principal charged with sexually abusing a child tried to undermine the state's case Tuesday during a probable cause hearing.

Two investigators took the stand in the case against Larry Ray Jewell: Harnett County Sheriff's Office detective Jamie Wicker and Dunn Police Sgt. David Whittenton.

Jewell, 57, of Dunn, who worked at Southeast Raleigh High School, was arrested Feb. 15 on charges that he sexually abused a boy in his care.

The accuser told the Harnett County Sheriff's Office that Jewell first abused him in 1999 while living with his father in Coats, N.C.

Wicker testified that some of the incidents happened in Jewell's car along a dirt road. She also said the alleged victim often hid under his bed when Jewell came to the house.

The boy's father was later convicted on federal charges of having child pornography on his computer, but the FBI found no evidence of sexual abuse against the boy.

It was then that the accuser moved in with Jewell at his home in Dunn.

Jewell's attorney, Jesse Jones, also grilled Wicker for not looking into the federal case against the alleged victim's dad.

Jones also criticized the Dunn Police Department for never searching Jewell's home after his arrest, nor seizing his computer.

Sgt. Whittenton said his department had no probable cause for a search.

This hearing will continue Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. Jones will present at least two witnesses.



13 Comments


Golo

Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.

You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.

View Comments View Comments

Ask Anything
  1. Cam Ward
    10 questions with Hurricanes' Goalie Cam Ward

    Cam Ward answers your questions about winning the Stanley Cup, superstitions on game days and smack talk on the ice.

  2. RDU Airport Director John Brantley
    10 questions with RDU's airport director

    RDU Airport Director John Brantley answers your questions about the fear of flying, airport parking and more.

  3. Career advisor Alan Levinson
    10 questions with career advisor Alan Levinson

    Career Advisor Alan Levinson answers your questions about finding a job, writing a resume and perfecting the interview.

Multimedia
  1. Holiday Bounce game
    Holiday Bounce

    Help the holiday decorations to the tree.

  2. JFK's assasination investigation, timeline
    JFK's assasination investigation, timeline

    An look back in sound and photos of President John F. Kennedy's assassination on Nov. 22, 45 years ago.

  3. Obama
    Redesigning the White House

    Nine interior designers offer suggestions for the Obama White House.

  4. Forbes_Hollywood_s_Hottest_Tots
    Celeb baby photos game

    Guess how much money celebrity baby photos reportedly sold for with this interactive game.

  5. Drought Map
    A year of N.C. Drought Maps

    View a time lapse animation of drought conditions during the last year.