Patrick O'Connor

[Luke]

One of my (former) teachers at Romeo Middle School has been accused of sexually harrassing a 7th grade girl. I don't think this is true because my friends have known him for years and say he could never do such a horrible thing, and I also have been lead on to the assumption that it was all over the news. Has anybody heard anyhting about this, I am anxious to know the truth.

[Payton]

yes he was on the news and he is in jail until tomarrow they said they had an intamite realationship he was txting her and iming her

[Romeo Mom]

My family finds this hard believing this as well. We met Mr. O' 6 years ago when my child was in the Romeo Middle School band. I hope none of this is true and the accusations are dropped. Mr. O' has always been a nice guy and doesn't seem to be the type to cross the line with a student.

[Concerned Mom]

I am speaking from experience when I say that people who commit these crimes would not be able to commit them if they did not come across as "nice, fun, caring" individuals. This is how they gain the trust of the child.

Think about it: what parent would trust someone who 'looked' like a predator or 'acted weird'. This is how perpetrators of these types of crimes operate. They appear to be the type of person that everyone respects, so how could they possibly be guilty??

This is a very unfortunate situation that needs to be handled with the utmost respect to the child and families involved. Please keep that in mind.

[I know Mr O]

While "Concerned Mom" certainly has a point,I have to say tht I am floored, saddened, sick and absolutly beside myself at hearing about this.If it is true, I will be stunned. I pray for everyone concerned. For Mr. O and his family,for the girl involved and her family. For all the students and faculty and that the truth is found in the end.

[Romeo High 2010]

I am a Junior at Romeo High School and had Mr.O for all three years while i attended Romeo Middle, and he has been a family friend for many years before this alleged incident.
I do not believe that Mr.O could EVER do such a thing, and i really dont understand how anyone could even think about believing this.
As the rumors were flying around Romeo High all this week & Mr.O's name & picture has been put on the news channel 4 & 7 probably more. Mr.O has been accused of "sexual harassment" and has lost all credit to his name, and all respect for him from many has been lost.
All im saying is know the facts before you start accusing people.

[DidntHavHim]

ok, i didnt hav mr o, cuz ive nvr been a musical person, but yes. today he did to to court and he got a $50,000 bond and has to wear a tether, and might hav up to 15 years in jail. a second hearing is set for april 30.

[rachel]

i dont beleive this.Mr.O never did anything when i was in middle school with him.he was one of my favorite teachers and i never even had him as a teacher.I'm sorry to see his career ruined because even if he didnt do it(which i believe)his career is over.

[Jacqueline Wilson]

I would like to publicly vouch for this man's character!!!! I was a student of his for probably 8 years and can say that he was a fantastic man! Not only did he do his job well, but was also a very loving and caring man. NEVER did he EVER act inappropriately towards any of my fellow classmates or myself. WE fallowed this man through his career in the Romeo District and I feel that it is an ABSOLUTE SHAME that his character is being defaced like this!!!

[RomeoHSStudent]

I always thought that mr.o was kinda an odd ball.. i believe that he did do it.. him and his wife just had a divorce, and that coulda made him go crazy. but on the other hand lots of people say that the girl is a liar.. she told everyone that she was deathly ill last year.. so it could go either way. if the girl is lying she should get in a lot of trouble cuz thats messed up if she lied..

[NewsTravelsQuick]

Personally i dont beleive any of this...i think that this girl is a lier...since last year she told the whole school that she had canter and haha guess what she didnt ! this girl is lier !
but if all of this does come back and he is guilty its going to be a heart break for many of this student now and his former students like me.

[John_D]

I had Mr. O'Connor from 1st to 8th grade, from grade-school choir to middle school band. I will honestly say I have known his all my life. I am also studying criminal justice in college, and based on my experience with Mr. O, I find it extremely difficult to believe the accusations against him. Especially since he turned himself in, just one day after he heard of the alleged charges he may be facing. I believe Mr. O as he had stated that if any touching was involved, it was accidental. Mr. O has had a great reputation throughout his career within the Romeo Community School District, and never expect anything negative from him. I hope all the accusations against Mr. O'Connor are found to be false, and he can continue his life, and people see that his great reputations precede him, always. He is one of the best teachers I have had, and will always be among my favorites.

[KAREN]

I do not think Mr.O did anything because i now him he is nice, sweet,kind and someone like that would not do nothing to a 7th grader because he new she would tell and then he would get fired.

ps I THINK MR.O IS THE BEST BAND TEACHER EVER

[Leah Nichols]

Dear veiwers Mr. O is my band teacher but currentsly to this event they have gotten a new one. no efence to Mr. Monks the new band teacher but compared to Mr. O he sucks. Me and several other band students feel the same way, we all want Mr. O back. even students who dont have him now like i do. I miss him so much and wish and prey that he comes back. I think Mr. O is really nice. So what if he is weird. I thought that was what made him one of my favorite teachers at the Romeo Middle School. Even though right now I am only in the 6th grade, I still have the right to speach. I want Mr.O back!

[Romeo High School 2012]

Yes, I never had Mr. O, But my sister did and he was the one that inspired me to go into band and he was helping me with my insterment. Yes he was weird but that is what made him him. My sister had him and she wouldn't have stayed with band all through Middle School if she thought he would do anything like this. So Me and my whole family can't beleive that he would do this. It is Mr. O, everyone that has had him loved him the people that have him now loved him so why would he do that to students that love him as a teacher. I never had him and he was still one of my favorit teachers because he would still help my sister even though she was no longer his student. Some Creeper doesn't do that kind of thing to old students he wouldn't have helped me or my sister. So no I don't beleive what he is being charged with.

[KAREN AND KATHIA]

mr.o'connor is the best ever we all love him as a band teacher. BY: KAREN MORRIS

mr.o is da best ever. BY:KATHIA

[Abbey J]

Leah Nichols wrote:

Dear veiwers Mr. O is my band teacher but currentsly to this event they have gotten a new one. no efence to Mr. Monks the new band teacher but compared to Mr. O he sucks. Me and several other band students feel the same way, we all want Mr. O back. even students who dont have him now like i do. I miss him so much and wish and prey that he comes back. I think Mr. O is really nice. So what if he is weird. I thought that was what made him one of my favorite teachers at the Romeo Middle School. Even though right now I am only in the 6th grade, I still have the right to speach. I want Mr.O back!

LEAH!! I AGREE WITH YOU COMPLETTELY.

[John D]

For those of you who are interested, Mr. O's next trial hearing is April 30. I am not sure what time, though. It is taking place at the Romeo Court on 33 Mile. I plan to attend, since the public is welcome to all trials...if you plan to go, you MUST wear professional clothing (suit and tie, conservative skirt with conservative top, etc.) It is very important not to wear anything revealing of upper torso, or anywhere else. Please let me know if you're interested in attending.

[Mr Os friend]

Does anyone know what happened today at court?

[Pam]

What happened in court yesterday? What's the next step? Does anyone know? What is the evidence against him, does anyone know? I want more than instant messaging - what was said that makes everyone believe he did this?