Mother ‘Very Shocked’ to Learn About Raymond Buckey Inquiry

McMartin Pre-School molestation case defendant Peggy McMartin Buckey testified Thursday that she was “very shocked” when she first learned in 1983 that her son, Raymond Buckey, was under investigation by Manhattan Beach police.

The 62-year-old former director of the school testified about receiving a call from a McMartin school parent at lunchtime in late August of that year, several weeks before Raymond Buckey’s arrest.

“ ‘Peggy, what’s going on at the school?’ ” Buckey said the parent asked, explaining that “the police had called her and asked her to ask her children if Ray Buckey had ever touched them (in a sexual manner). When she said that, I said, ‘What did you say?’ I couldn’t get it in my head what she was saying. . . , “ Buckey recalled.

Asked Thursday by her attorney, Dean Gits, if the parent had specifically mentioned Ray Buckey, his mother answered, “She certainly did. . . . I am positive.”

Buckey’s credibility before the jury on this issue could prove crucial, as her testimony suggested that she had no prior knowledge of her son’s alleged behavior. In January of last year, however, the parent who made that call testified that Buckey’s reaction indicated that she knew immediately who was in trouble and why.

The Buckeys are charged with a total of 65 counts of child molestation and conspiracy.

The parent testified that the police had not told her who the suspect was or referred to molestation, but merely asked if her daughter had said anything about any “improper conduct” at the Manhattan Beach nursery school. The parent testified that when she reached Peggy Buckey at the school, she “told her that I’d just received a phone call from the Police Department and I wanted to know what the heck was going on at the school, that I was told that there was some improper behavior going on at school and what are they talking about?”

She said that Buckey dropped the phone and shrilly screamed, “Oh, my God, Ray!”

Under questioning by Gits on Thursday, Buckey denied the quote--”because I was a professional woman and I am not the type of person who talks that way.”

Buckey also testified Thursday that she had found several pet turtles and rabbits at the Manhattan Beach nursery school dead--but none apparently mutilated--and that she or her son had buried them in the adjacent yard.

Her testimony was cut short by the illness of two jurors, but she is scheduled to resume testifying Monday.