Trial of former Gilman teacher who was sexually abused continues Monday

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — The trial of 40-year-old Christopher Bendann began Wednesday, but Bendann refused to appear.

The judge ordered the US Marshals to bring him to court, where his attorney attempted to delay the trial by filing a motion for jurisdiction.

The judge ruled that Bendann was “sharp as a razor” and allowed the trial to begin.

The former Gilman School teacher is charged with multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of child pornography and cyberstalking while working at the independent boys school in North Baltimore.

The victim, now 23, was confronted by his alleged abuser and forced to portray himself as a minor in explicit photos allegedly sent to Bendann and secretly taken by him.

He told the jury that Bendann would make students run around naked in exchange for alcohol and a ride home.

He alleges the abuse escalated to unwanted sexual acts and when he asked for it to stop, Bendann threatened to “make all the photos public and tell everyone what was going on.”

The defense admitted that Bendann had followed and threatened his former student when he attended college, calling the behavior “embarrassingly deplorable”

Bendann denies that he exploited the victim. According to him, a romantic relationship only developed after the victim turned 18.

The federal government says it has obtained ten devices from Bendann.

Bendann plans to testify at the trial, which resumes Monday.