Overview

• Matthew Schlegel, a former Severna Park Elementary School teacher, is on trial for charges including sexual abuse of minors, second-degree assault, and related offenses.
• Prosecutors dropped 22 of the 55 charges under the ChildFirst protocol to protect the mental health of child witnesses, with additional charges omitted due to the statute of limitations.
• The first victim, a 10-year-old girl, testified that Schlegel routinely touched her inappropriately, describing his actions as deliberate and concealed.
• Prosecutors argue Schlegel groomed students by earning their trust and using it to facilitate abuse, while the defense claims he has been falsely accused and challenges the investigation's integrity.
• Schlegel remains suspended without pay, held without bail, and the trial, presided over by Judge Pamela K. Alban, is expected to last up to one month.