ATLANTA -- A Cobb County judge has ruled that a former Marietta High teacher is not guilty of sexual assault charges from his affair with a 17-year-old student.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Thursday that Judge Robert Flournoy bypassed the jury and issued a directed verdict against 36-year-old Christopher King.
Flournoy said Wednesday the teacher-student relationship was gross and awful, but not illegal because it was consensual.
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled in June that when the student is a willing participant and is 16 or older, their consent can be a defense for teachers facing a sexual assault charge.
The judge referenced that decision in his ruling but said he has a feeling the Legislature is going to amend that law.
The girl testified Wednesday that she never felt intimidated or coerced by King.
http://www.macon.com/220/story/949243.html