The case of Severine Wamala came to a quick close after six days of deliberation. After being held for one year (and after failing to make  $1 million bail), Judge Robert Lynn of Hillsborough County threw out most of the charges leveled against the 46-year old Wamala, a native of Uganda.

The case for two of accusers started to unravel when they recanted and stated that they were coerced to accuse Wamala of sexual molestation. The two women, one 19 and the other 24, have stated that they have no had sexual contact with Wamala. Despite pointing out possible perjury, Lynn found there was enough evidence for jurors to consider other charges.

During his testimony, Wamala complained that the police had harassed him in their questioning and he became frustrated into a forced confession. "For hours they asked me these questions…  the same questions, over and over," Wamala said. Neither this explanation, nor recantation by the two women was convincing enough to the jury who had heard the Wamala trial over six days. They found Wamala guilty of 11 counts of aggravated sexual assault, each punishable  by 10-20 years. He was acquitted on the 12th charge. An appeal initiated by Wamala's team would not be surprising.


RYAN HALLIDAY, "Ex-Teacher convicted in Rape Case," Nashua Telegraph, 15 September.

LISA REDMOND, "Ex-Teacher, Guilty of Rape," Lowell Sun, 15 September 2007.

ALBERT McKEON, "Ex-teacher's fate in rape case in jury's hands," Nashua Telegraph, 14 September 2007

ANDREW WOLFE "Witness affirms rape testimony," Nashua Telegraph, 13 September 2007.

ANDREW WOLFE, "Many assault charges tossed," Nashua Telegraph, 12 September 2007.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 14 September 2007

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