Court Grants Armed Newtown School Teacher “Accelerated Rehab”
Feared “Conspiracy Theorists”
Son attended Sandy Hook Elementary on December 14, 2012
[Editor’s Note: This is a somewhat curious story that has nevertheless been reported in regional and national news without question. Adams claims that harassment by “conspiracy theorists” was so severe that he had to arm himself. The following article required minor editing–particularly the passage where Adams’ attorney John Maxwell references alleged threats received by Adams and his spouse. Further, there is no explanation as to why the Adams’ proximity to the Connecticut-New York border has anything to do with their security.}Via WABC
A former Newtown teacher who brought a loaded gun into school says [he] purchased the weapon after receiving threatening messages from conspiracy theorists claiming the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre never occurred, his attorney said Thursday.From April 6, 2016:
The ex-teacher may have a clean record in a matter of months following his court appearance on Thursday morning.
Thursday, the former teacher admitted the gun he carried with him to school was for protection, for himself and his family.
Jason Adams had begun carrying his licensed handgun on his way to and from work as a science teacher at Newtown Middle School, leaving it locked his car during the day.
But the 46-year-old was arrested in April when he was running late and forgot to leave the gun behind.
A security guard noticed the loaded firearm as Adams entered the building.
“As I told the court, he’s a great guy, good teacher, devoted, good family man, done right by everybody,” said John Maxwell, defense attorney.
Adams’ son was among the students at Sandy Hook Elementary School the day 20 first graders were killed in 2012. The boy was not hurt.
In the time since, Adams’ wife admits she debated with conspiracy theorists online, people who claim the entire incident never took place.
The family says one online poster in particular made a series of threats.
“‘I’d move if I were you, you don’t want me anywhere near your town.’ ‘I’m bad for people’s health.’ Those are the types of threats that prompted him to renew his pistol permit,” Maxwell said. [Passage edited]
“It was serious, because the gentleman was in close proximity to New York’s border,” said Gina Caallaro, a former colleague.
Cavallaro is a retired teacher who came in support of her former colleague.
She watched as Adams was sentenced to accelerated rehabilitation, a program that could lead to charges being dismissed.
A judge agreed that there was no intent to harm anyone, and that Adams is unlikely to reoffend.
“Jason cared about everybody else. He would do anything to help out a fellow teacher, a student, the kids loved him,” Cavallaro said.
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