Trial of Gilman teacher begins after long and unusual delay

The trial of a former Gilman School teacher charged with child pornography, exploitation and cyberstalking began Wednesday, but after a long and unusual delay. The trial was scheduled to begin this morning with jury selection. The government was ready, the jury was in the building, but the defendant was not there. Christopher Bendann refused to leave the prison when federal agents arrived Wednesday morning. “He's a monster,” said former Gilman student Atlas Pyke. “I hope he stays out for a really long time.” Pyke was in the courtroom when Bendann, Pyke's former assistant track and field coach, failed to appear on the first day of his federal trial. The judge said Bendann refused to leave the prison and ordered his release from the cell. Two hours later, Bendann sat at the defense table in a suit and tie, swiveling in his chair, waving and mouthing words toward viewers. “Mixed emotions. Yes, he waved at me. He remembered my first and last name — impressive memory, it's been a while. He knew what school I transferred to after Gilman School. I don't know if he took it as support (my presence) for him or an intimidation tactic. Given the context of the courtroom and the charges he's facing, I certainly felt intimidated,” Pyke said. Pyke said he came to support his fellow students. “I'm here to support people I know and went to school with and people I've never met who are on the same level as me,” he said. “I hope justice is done.” Defense attorneys asked for a competency evaluation, saying suicidal thoughts precluded their client from participating. The government said he wasn't unable to participate, he was unwilling — and there's a difference. The judge spoke with Bendann at length and listened to an 11-minute phone call between Bendann and his father from jail Tuesday night. Bendann said he does not have “the energy” to show up in court every day, especially “just for jury selection.” He expressed deep distrust of prosecutors and their evidence and told the judge that he is on a special diet and would not be allowed in the holding cell. He said, however, that he will show up in court if he wants to directly confront a federal witness and if he takes the stand himself because he is determined to testify in his own defense. The judge denied the defense's request for a competency assessment, saying it was clear the defendant was “razor-sharp” and “deeply involved in the process.” Jury selection finally began around 2 p.m. Wednesday and will continue Thursday.