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Eva Knott

Eva Knott is a Reader contributor. See staff page for published articles.

Conviction of Army & Navy headmaster for child abuse is overturned – updated 12-6-21

Jeffrey Scott Barton was released from custody on November 30, the same day he was sentenced, after he made a plea deal in which he admitted two counts of felony child abuse. The same judge who previously heard Barton’s two jury trials, Honorable Harry Elias, sentenced Barton last Tuesday to 8 years, which effectively meant “time served.” That same morning, defense attorney Sherry Stone requested Barton get his two expired passports returned to him, so he can use those as ID until he can get a California driver’s license or other current ID. Barton turned 64 years old in custody last month. He is described in local jail records as 5 feet 10 inches tall (he looks shorter) and 200 pounds. Judge Elias ordered Barton to check in at the parole office on Simpson Way in Escondido by Friday, December 3. The judge further ordered that Barton must register as a sex offender for life. At the same hearing, judge Elias signed ten-year protective orders for three of Barton’s alleged victims, those men were identified as John Does A, B, and C. Defense attorney Sherry Stone tried to demand “immediate release” for Barton, from the courtroom, she said she brought clothes and shoes for Barton to change out of his jail clothes. But judge Elias said he would not interfere with normal “Sheriff’s procedural release” from the local Vista jail, the judge told Barton that he would be released “sometime today.” Jeffrey Barton spoke to the court before his sentence was announced. He thanked various attorneys who worked on his case over the years, especially Robert Boyce for “spending years” on his appeal — which successfully caused a California appellate court to overturn Barton’s jury conviction (the appellate court declared that the trial judge erred by dismissing one juror who reportedly refused to join jury deliberations). Jeffrey Barton stated in court, “They should be ashamed of themselves for going after a non-profit institute!” Barton was apparently offended that some of his alleged victims have filed civil suits against the schools where they were allegedly abused by Barton. (The alleged victims, now all grown men, were all young boys who attended three different schools around the USA where Barton worked at various times in his life.) Today, Jeffrey Barton seemed to blame news media for the attention his case received, saying, “When the press gets ahold of things, they grab it and civil suits happen!” He faulted the San Diego Union Tribune newspaper, Barton claimed they made “ridiculous” mistakes regarding which years he worked at which schools, and whether or not he was ever a soccer coach.
— December 6, 2021 3:13 p.m.

Conviction of Army & Navy headmaster for child abuse is overturned – updated 12-6-21

There is some confusion, because Hon. judge Robert Kearney took the plea deal and signed it. But there are indications that Hon. judge Harry Elias, who heard both trials, will pronounce sentence. One court clerk stated that defendant Jeffrey Barton is expected to be released for "time served" on the day he is sentenced, Tuesday November 30, 2021. There is also confusion about in which courtroom the sentencing will take place, at 9 a.m. in San Diego's North County Superior courthouse in Vista, California.
— November 21, 2021 9 a.m.

Conviction of Army & Navy headmaster for child abuse is overturned – updated 12-6-21

Here are some of the pages of Jeffrey Barton's plea deal. It is not known if any of his victims are expected to speak at his sentencing at the end of this month. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2021/n… http://www.sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2021/n…
— November 19, 2021 11:48 a.m.

Conviction of Army & Navy headmaster for child abuse is overturned – updated 12-6-21

The prosecutor revealed that a plea deal was reached today, November 17, 2021. This was a surprise hearing, off calendar, and Jeffrey Scott Barton admitted two counts of child abuse, and the 4 other counts were dismissed. ("He pled to Ct 1 PC288a(c)(1) and Ct 2 PC288a(c)(1).") He could get up to 14 years prison, or Honorable judge Harry Elias could sentence Barton to 8 years prison. Barton has been in prison 4 years already, so it is unclear if this might end up being "sentenced to time served," or released on parole? The actual date of sentencing is set for the end of this month, November 30 at 9 a.m. in Department 23 of San Diego's North County Courthouse in Vista.
— November 17, 2021 2:21 p.m.

Conviction of Army & Navy headmaster for child abuse is overturned – updated 12-6-21

At a hearing Monday, October 18, 2021, a new trial date was suggested in late January 2022, although evidence and witnesses are not expected to be heard until February 2022. Honorable judge Robert Kearney will hear "motions" four days, November 15, 16, 17, 18, in year 2021, during those motion hearings the attorneys commonly will argue about what evidence will be permitted. The defendant appeared paler, fatter, and whispered energetically to his attorney during the one-hour hearing yesterday.
— October 19, 2021 6:24 a.m.

Gentle Vista man shoots abusive wife in back of head

One of the things that kept going through my mind, while I listened to evidence during trial, was: what if the shooter was the female and the victim was the man? Does a jury want to show more sympathy to an abused wife, than an abused husband?
— September 30, 2021 11:14 a.m.

Murder suspects hop fence near Carlsbad lagoon – updated 12-6-21

Since they were arrested more than two years ago, in March of 2019, both defendants have seen their lead attorneys changed, and the judge who was assigned their trial has changed, and the prosecutor has changed. Also, District Attorney Summer Stephan made the decision that Ian Forrester Bushee, 39, will not face a possible Death Penalty, but his co-defendant Malissa Deanna James, 29, does face the possibility of the Death Penalty if she is convicted. Murder during burglary and murder during robbery, mayhem, and torture all make this a special circumstance case. Both defendants plead not-guilty. Honorable judge Robert Kearney has been hearing pre-trial motions since Hon. judge Amalia Meza recused herself (the exact reason is unclear, although judge Meza has made it known she is married to a District Attorney’s investigator). Prosecutor Nicole Rooney withdrew from the case in April 2021, and she is no longer with the San Diego DA’s office. Senior prosecutor Bill Mitchell is now the only prosecutor, and he declined to give details of Rooney’s departure. Daniel Segura was recently selected as a Superior Court judge by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Segura was sworn to the bench last week. Second defense chair Lindsay Itzhaki is now counsel for defendant Malissa James until the Public Defenders’ office assigns a new senior attorney. Matt Mohun now leads the defense team for Ian Bushee, and John Patterson is second chair. The expected trial date of late January 2022 has not been changed, so far. It appears the two defendants will be tried together, their cases will not be separated into different trials. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2021/s…
— September 17, 2021 12:34 p.m.

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Eva Knott

Conviction of Army & Navy headmaster for child abuse is overturned – updated 12-6-21

Conviction of Army & Navy headmaster for child abuse is overturned – updated 12-6-21

Conviction of Army & Navy headmaster for child abuse is overturned – updated 12-6-21

Conviction of Army & Navy headmaster for child abuse is overturned – updated 12-6-21

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Conviction of Army & Navy headmaster for child abuse is overturned – updated 12-6-21

Gentle Vista man shoots abusive wife in back of head

Murder suspects hop fence near Carlsbad lagoon – updated 12-6-21

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