Former Gilman School Teacher Chris Bendann: Jury Selected in Trial

A jury was selected Thursday in the trial of a former Gilman School teacher accused of sexually abusing a student and recording explicit videos.

Assistant District Attorney Colleen McGuinn and Christopher Nieto, one of Chris Bendann’s attorneys, will deliver their 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. He sat among his attorneys in a navy blue sports jacket, gray pants and yellow tie. He leafed through folders and took notes.

Bendann has said he will attend parts of his trial but skip others.

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