Bockstetter opts for bench trial

This article states that Scott is suspended, however, he is still working. What kind of a suspension is that?

Honest Opinion. The only FACTS in the story are that there was an accusation made and the person who alledgely committed the act was charged. THAT is the only fact regarding the charge. No information regarding the other side of the story has EVER been publishes as of yet and the rest of the facts pertain to process of the courts and not the facts of the actual incident.

My point was NOT that he is or is not guilty but that there are NO FACTS published to base a rational opinion on as of yet. The lack of complete facts and information from both sides prevents rational and intelligent conclusions and therefore you are only judging or speculating using your own predujices and assumptions.

I do not see how saying the Police officer (PO) is a good man somehow is the same thing as saying that the girl is automatically guilty of lying.

What I see on these posts on all the stories printed about this issue are people who do not first hand knowledge claiming that somehow because of their personal experience with child abuse that the PO has to be guilty, or saying that the city is somehow trying to give the PO a break so he will not be found guilty in court in some sort of conspiracy theory.

There are a lot of self righteous people who are being very quick to judge.

Honest Opinion,

Have to agree with part of your comment on the special prosecutor. Mr. Stafford is a great guy and good civil attorney. Bockstetter hires Ravenhill (not cheap) who is a criminal trial attorney and was also a Circuit Judge for 8 years. Looks like the State is the underdog on their homecourt. I just hope all the facts can be presented in court for Judge Bellamy to make a decision on.

Gumby... Here is the fact. Something Happened that night that was wrong. Someone saying i was asaulted by John doe and making a statement dosent mean that john doe gets arrested. However when there is evedince incriminating John Doe then he does get arrested. That being said if Scott did nothing that wasnt exsessive and out of line he would not have been arrested, but scott was arrested and he did go to jail and he did have to bond out. Now the prosecuting ATTOUNEY HAS STEPPED ASIDE AND PUT A MUCH LESSER LAWYER IN HIS PLACE(i didnt think there was such a thing)and scott asked for a bench trial so that it is quick and pressures this stand in. The city is not trying to make it a secret that they are going out of there way to see that scott gets the best chance at getting another chance to throw this girl threw a wall. Good luck to both sides and may justice prevail(cause it usually does not in this area) and good luck to tut because this has to be a hard case to bench.

I have personally known Scott and his family for many years. (Scott, if you look at the name you should be able to fiqure out who this is. After all, you gave him the name. I know Scott to be a wonderful person, caught up in a bad situation. Most of us have had unruly teens, and know the frustration that goes along with it. Might I suggest that everyone not judge him, or his daughter for what has happned. Unless you were there, you don't know the circumstances, and should let the courts decide. In the mean time, use your time to pray for this family, and the circumstances! Much love to the family members!

WW - I would never take away the medias right to report the news. In fact it's their duty as reporters to keep us informed. We would have to live in a different country for that to happen and I for one do not want to live there. I do however agree with your point about this blog not being good for the community. Someone please tell me what good it has done. I believe if anything it has divided the community even more. Other than the harmless political discussions a few get into on the front page that most don't read anyway, it's mostly negative and has only caused harm. Some will argue it's freedom of speech. Is it really freedom of speech if you feel you must hide behind a fictitious name to make your point? Myself included.

are these blogs making our community better? Nothing but glorified gossip. you might say, then don't read it if you don't like it. but it's so intriguing. still that doesn't make it good or right. marshall comes across as a narrow minded little community. we all like to share our stories and that's fine. but when we gossip about other people and their problems, that's not so fine. also sad to see how many arrests make the front page. is that really necessary?

I agree completely with kkmom and workingmom. In your strong efforts to support Scott you are throwing this child under the bus. Shame on you for doing this. I have no doubt that Scott loves this child and would die protecting her. My father was the same way. He was also the same man that made us watch while he beat our mother. He was also the same man that held a hammer over my head in anger. These are things you never forget and never quite get over. The only positive thing that came out of any of it for me was it makes me look at things with open eyes and consider all the possibilities. I don't know all the facts because I wasn't there. Neither does anyone else posting on here. What I do know is that this child may or may not have been treated in an abusive manner and I pray that God gives the judge the ability to hear all the facts and make the right decision.

I do not know this family or the details of the situation-- but I just want to remind everyone-- as a childhood abuse survivor myself-- an abusive and controlling dad can be the "nicest, upstanding guy" to every one else except for his family-- my dad was-- I remember hoping everyday that someone would rescue me and my siblings-- but from the outside looking in we had a "great" family living the dream-- good neighborhood, kids excelled in school and activities and we never wanted for anything material-----

just remember no matter how well you know someone they could be an abuser.

This young couple's life has been changed forever and all people want to do is trash it even further. Scott Bockstetter is one of the finest young men I have ever known and I wish him nothing but the best. To all of you that have bashed him and everything else around Marshall, can't you find something better to do with your time? How about instead of you reading something into every issue that is a far cry from the truth, you do something productive? This blog is a place for people to hide behind a fake identity and ***** uncontrollably, all the while causing victims undue stress and heartache. Most of the time, those posters wouldn't know the truth if it jumped up and bit them.

None of you are immune to being one of these blog victims. Oh, but I forgot. You are all perfect. Just wait, your time will come.

Scott Bockstetter is a well-trained, seasoned officer. I suspect by the time we hear all the facts it will be he was using safe tactics to restrain an unruly teen. We should look forward to seeing him back on the streets.