Former Gilman teacher’s sexual abuse trial begins

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — The trial began Thursday for a former Gilman school teacher accused of sexually abusing a teenage student.

Chris Bendann is accused of multiple counts of sexual exploitation of minors, possession of child pornography and cyberstalking while working at the Gilman School in North Baltimore.

READ ALSO | Federal government charges former Gilman teacher with sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography

He was indicted by federal authorities last year after first being charged in Baltimore County.

Bendann refused to be taken to court for the start of his trial on Wednesday.

A judge ordered the US Marshals to return to the detention center and take him to court.

When he arrived, his attorneys filed a motion for competency to have Bendann undergo a psychiatric evaluation, citing a phone call Tuesday between Bendann and his father in which Bendann expressed some suicidal thoughts. The entire conversation was played in court.

Bendann told the judge Wednesday that he was mentally and emotionally stable, saying only that he was frustrated with the justice system and disappointed with the media.

The judge ruled that he was competent and said he had a “razor-sharp” mind.

When Bendann finally entered the courtroom, FOX45’s Maxine Streicher saw him wave to two young men behind her.

They told Streicher they were former Gilman students who knew Bendann and supported the victims.

Atlas Pyke said Bendann was his former athletics coach.

“I have mixed feelings. He waved at me, said my first and last name. Impressive memory, it’s been a while. He even pointed out which school I transferred to after I left Gilman,” Pyke said. “I don’t know if he saw it because I was there to support him or if he saw it as an intimidation tactic. It certainly felt intimidating given the context of the courtroom and what he’s being charged with. He’s a monster. I hope he stays away for a long time. I hope it causes a reckoning within schools in the area, a lot of processes that are maybe overlooked or turned a blind eye to.”

Bendann also requested a waiver Wednesday before jury selection began, telling the judge he only wanted certain witnesses named for whom he wanted to be present.

The judge granted his request, but Bendann was present during jury selection.

The jury will hear from 20 witnesses during the trial, which is expected to last two weeks.

Bendann also told the judge that he planned to testify.

Jurors were warned that they would be shown sexually explicit material during the trial.