Sexually Explicit, Threatening Text Read Aloud in Lawsuit Over Sexual Abuse of Former Gilman School Teacher

BALTIMORE — Prosecutors have presented their final evidence before dropping their case against former Gilman School teacher Christopher Bendann in his trial. charges of child pornography, child exploitation and cyberstalking.

“We were devastated. We were devastated,” a friend of the victim testified about his reaction when he learned of the alleged sexual abuse.

Bendann met the victim while attending private school in North Baltimore.

“I know personally that this was the first time I went through immense emotional hardship,” the friend told the court. “I don’t know if anyone at any age is prepared to hear that their best friend has been sexually abused.”

He said the accusations against Bendann surprised by someone he considered “a friend and mentor.”

“He was a monster,” the friend testified.

WJZ does not identify victims of sexual abuse.

During the prosecution’s trial, jurors were shown sensitive videos of the victim. The prosecution alleges that Bendann forced him to make the videos and then blackmailed him and sent the victim threatening text messages.

They spent hours reading the texts and including them in the report.

In some of the texts, Bendann appeared obsessive, at one point telling the victim, “I will unleash hell” if he did not immediately respond to requests for nude photos and videos. He warned, “Ignoring me will only make matters worse.”