After delays upon delays, the trial officially began on November 24, 2008. It was a very high-interest trial with even national media getting in on the attention, from local news affiliates to national news outlets and everything in between. The field of twelve jurors was finally seated.
"All rise." said the bailiff. "Judge Robert Gray presiding. You may be seated." The gallery rose for the judge, then were seated as followers. Notable members of the gallery included members of the online watchdog group Perverted-Justice, who would be called to eventually testify. Also included would be Alan Powers and Jake, the other boy. Both of their parents were there, plus a couple of counselors for the boys.
The Superintendent wanted to keep the school open for the next two days before Thanksgiving break, but with all the media attention, some of it being turned towards him, he was forced to close the schools for the entire week.
On one side was Nigel Ratburn, looking somewhat presentable in a suit and tie, next to his attorney. On the other side was the plaintiff, Perverted-Justice.
First, the prosecutor made an impassioned opening statement about how two young men's lives were ruined because of the actions of a man who took advantage of his position of power to try to have his way with them. He added that if he was in either of the young men's shoes that it would scar him for the rest of his life, due to the man bragging about being a father figure to both boys.
Nigel Ratburn looked remorsefully at the prosecuting attorney while he gave the rest of his statement. Once the prosecutor made his statement, then the defense attorney made his opening statement about how Nigel Ratburn was a great man that was being unfairly slandered by a money-hungry media and a pair of kids who didn't know what they was talking about.
This statement drew the ire of the gallery and a few of the jurors. After a few more statements, recess was declared. Outside the courtroom, there were two different groups of people protesting. One group was protesting Perverted-Justice with the reason that they thought Nigel Ratburn was being lured by the group into having the nasty conversation he had.
The other group was protesting against the school district, wondering why Nigel Ratburn was not fired once the stuff about Alan Powers came out. They were angry at the superintendent, thinking that he was protecting the now-disgraced teacher because he was recommended so highly.
Both groups were thankfully separated by the deputies of the Beaver County Sheriff's Office, but words were definitely exchanged.
After the midday recess, the first day of the trial came and went without any real news to report on either end of the spectrum. As far as Nigel Ratburn went, he was transferred to administrative segregation with basically his thoughts and nothing else.
Day two of the trial was just as short. One noticeable difference was that neither Alan or Jake, nor their families, were in the courtroom. They were taking a vacation and would not get back in town until Monday evening at the latest. Both would definitely be called to testify if they were willing to, given the seriousness of the charges against Ratburn.
The judge declared that the trial would resume on Monday the following week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.