Former Gilman School teacher Chris Bendann: Jury selected for trial

On Thursday, the jury met in the trial of a former Gilman School teacher who is accused of sexually abusing a student and recording explicit videos.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen McGuinn and Christopher Nieto, one of Chris Bendann's attorneys, will deliver opening statements on Friday.

McGuinn said she expects to call a number of witnesses, including the student, who is now an adult.

Bendann, 40, of Baltimore, is charged in U.S. District Court in Baltimore with sexual exploitation of a child, possession of child pornography and cyberstalking. He worked at the private, independent boys' school in Roland Park from 2007 to 2023.

Bendann has maintained his innocence from the beginning.

Unlike earlier in the week, when he refused to leave his cell at the Chesapeake Detention Facility, Bendann appeared in court, sitting among his lawyers in a navy blue sport jacket, gray slacks and a yellow tie, flipping through folders and taking notes.

Bendann has stated that he will participate in parts of the trial but skip other parts.

Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar is presiding over the case, which is expected to last about two weeks.