Buitenveld trial enters second week

The felony indecent liberties trial of Stephen Buitenveld, a former Bainbridge High School paraeducator, continues Monday when prosecutors are expected to present the last of their witnesses in Kitsap County Superior Court in Port Orchard.

Buitenveld, 63, is accused of inappropriately touching a 17-year-old developmentally disabled female student in the Aquatic Center’s hot tub and pool last June. Judge Anna M. Laurie is presiding over the jury trial.

Last Friday, the 10-man, two-woman jury heard from the Bainbridge High School student. Deputy Prosecutor Coreen Schnepf's case is based on the eye-witness statements made by the boy, who was 15 years old at the time.

The boy said he saw Buitenveld touch the girl inappropriately on her thigh while they were in pool's hot tub and deep-water area.

The boy, who is not developmentally disabled, was a student in the school’s special education room and was tutored by Buitenveld at one time. The alleged victim will not testify at the trial because of her disability.

The boy, who was swimming in the pool at the time of the alleged incident, told a teacher and then police that he saw Buitenveld touch the girl. During Friday's testimony, the boy said he saw Buitenveld, who was sitting next to the girl, put his hand under the water and on her thigh.

However, when defense attorney Peter Camiel cross-examined the witness, the boy said he was sure that there was touching in the deep-water incident, but was less sure about what happened in the hot tub because he couldn't see under the water.

He told Camiel that he was about three feet under the water for several seconds while watching Buitenveld and girl in the deeper water.

Camiel said during his opening statement that the boy was angry with Buitenveld and falsely accused the teacher to get even with him. The boy denied that Friday when questioned by Camiel and Schnepf.

At the end of cross-examination, Camiel asked the boy: "Do you think it's hard or easy for someone to admit when he's made a mistake?"

The boy said he didn't know.

Camiel is expected to begin calling his witnesses when the prosecution rests, probably starting Tuesday morning.