Bail Reduced for Teacher Accused of Molesting Pupils

Orange County Municipal Court Judge Steven L. Perk reduced bail Thursday for a Santa Ana teacher charged with molesting three children, elating a crowd of supporters who hoped the teacher would soon be home.

Jerome Thompson Wilhoit, 36, who has pleaded not guilty to five counts of felony child molestation, has been in jail since May 12, unable to post $100,000 bail. On Thursday, Perk reduced Wilhoit’s bail to $25,000.

Wilhoit’s attorneys for weeks had sought to have his bail lowered, but Perk declined to do so pending an investigation that could have resulted in additional charges. On Thursday, prosecutor Roseanne Froeberg told the court that Wilhoit probably would not face new felony charges.

Since his incarceration, Wilhoit has become the focus of a community effort to help clear his name. Perk received 150 letters from parents, teachers and students in support of Wilhoit. And in an unusual twist, the father of one of the alleged victims has gone to court to say he believes Wilhoit is innocent.

“My daughter said that it did not happen, and I believe her,” the father said last week.

Wilhoit’s neighbor Bob Murrieta offered to put up his home as surety for bail--although the bail reduction will likely make the gesture unnecessary.

“My father did it because we were all pretty bummed about Jerry,” said Murrietta’s son Mark, 23. “I knew he was an innocent dude.”

Wilhoit’s legal trouble began May 8, when a boy in his combination second- and third-grade class told the principal he saw Wilhoit inappropriately touch other students. Santa Ana police, who arrested Wilhoit, have maintained that their case is solid.

The teacher’s friends and supporters say he is a caring man whose affectionate exchanges with students have been misunderstood.

“If you discipline them, you’re an abuser; if you give them love and kindness, you’re a molester; if you do neither, then they go around shooting people when they’re older,” said one supporter who appeared at Thursday’s court hearing but refused to be identified.

Wilhoit’s wife, Rosalie, said that as a condition of his release, her husband cannot return to work, be alone with children or communicate with his accusers.

“I feel much better that he’s coming home, but it’s not over yet,” she said, as she prepared to write a check for his bail.

Wilhoit’s next appearance in court is scheduled June 17.