Earlier today, in a Bracebridge courtroom, former music teacher at Huntsville High School Jordan Riley was found not guilty of sexual exploitation and sexual assault.
In April of this year, Jordan Riley, 58, pled not guilty to two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual exploitation.
The charges came after the Huntsville OPP and Muskoka Crime Unit conducted an investigation into a complaint involving a series of sexual assaults alleged to have taken place between 2001-2003 involving a young person.
The proceedings of the trial are under a publication ban (that restricts the publishing of any information that could identify the complainant).
Riley retired from teaching in 2020.
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I grew up with the person referred to above as “complaintant” but I really am fine with calling her the victim here. Sad that the justice system does not allow for transformation on either side. Actually, it mediates to ensure that sincere confession and ‘moving forwards’ does not occur. The entire ordeal was a missed opportunity for the victim and the assailant to change the shape of this – even as I suspect that a semblance of closure is desired by Riley too.
Seems to me this comment section is wildly slanted in Jordan Riley’s favour–I invite readers to explore the Doppler’s Facebook page and read the comments in their post of this article. There you will find some very compelling words from survivors of abuse in support of the victim in this case. Believe women!!!
For those of you who don’t use fb, here is an excerpt from one observer who I think explained the situation extremely well:
“…the survivors are up against a system that, by default, protects men who abuse their positions of authority, and paints survivors [as] unreliable and ‘in collusion’. sounds to me like this judge is committed to ignorance on many things, including how survivors present when testifying, especially as talking about it flares up mental illnes/mental blocks. i’d think the fact that the mother and daughter’s stories were not identical to begin with shows they did not collude. any time it is a woman’s word against the male system of justice, this sort of thing happens. there has to be more to our justice system then men deciding if other men are guilty, based solely on a man’s judgement of the characters of the victims. when will this end?”
Jordan is such a good man and a wonderful friend!
We can’t begin to imagine what he and his family went through over the past 2 years. Yes, justice was served but at such a great cost.
We wish him nothing but the best!!!
The accusers name should be made public unless they are under 13. Anyone over that age is old enough to know right from wrong and if they don’t understand consequences by that age they never will. Of course they must have been taught that with every action or choice comes a consequence. To purposely destroy another person’s reputation, maybe life, should have strong consequences. If, after the trial, the accused is found innocent, as in this case, the accuser should have their name and court proceedings made public. This may deter them from putting out lies about their teachers, neighbour’s, uncle or aunt etc. It may save many people from having to live this nightmare.
Jordan Riley, as a teacher and a man of integrity, is in the same class as HHS teachers Jon Snelson, Kevin Quinn, and Doug Raisbeck. These are men who would never use their position and influence to prey upon impressionable young female students or make them feel uncomfortable in any way. I would like to sincerely praise principal Bruce Reign for fostering an environment at HHS where there were absolutely no male teachers who would brazenly cross any boundaries with female students.
When Mr. Riley was accused, I knew he would face his accuser head on, and not use his lawyers to draw out the trial unnecessarily for several years. As clearing his name promptly was priority number 1.
I’d also like to commend Mr. Tusz, a man of serene calm, who would never flip out on his students with explosive rage, for coming to Jordan Riley’s defense, without any delay.
Further to my comments on teen girls having a crush on male teachers I remembered my years as a student at HHS ! When I was in grades 9 and 10 my crush was the boys gym teacher, Mr Eric Runacres!! As I moved up the grades, my crush became the history teacher Bill Gough. I hope my memories are correct as it was a long time ago, about 73 years!!! Crushes were a normal part of growing up!!!
I have known Jordan Riley since hewas a child. I have known his family for many years. Our children played together — were teenagers together – and we all supported each other into adulthood. I do not know a more outstnding, moral and talented man than Jordan Riley. The fact that this accusation even happened to him is devastating. The fact that he has been acquitted is both corrcct and relieving – I hope that he can go forward with a clear mind – you deserve that Jordy!!!!
We kove you and wish the best for you going forward. Love!
Bonnie Gross and family
For once our court system was right.that doesn’t help the three years of suffering that Jordan and his family has been tarnished with. Is it the Justice system or individual persons making a name for them self. Best to you Jordan and the family you have a great live ahead of you.
Aubrey
Where is the name and picture of the person who caused all this trouble for Mr Jordan. This is not equal treatment.
I honestly don’t know what the purpose is for Mr. Riley’s photo here. He was found to be innocent.
Thank you Louis T for your comment! I have known Jordy since he was a teenager, in fact he was one of my math students at HHS. Even at a young age he was “burdened” with extraordinary good looks!!! I was aware in my teaching years that teenage girls had crushes on good looking male teachers! I feel justice has been done with a “not guilty” verdict in this case. Now Jordy, I know you will pick up the pieces and soldier on with all of your friends behind you. Best Wishes Val and John {Valerie Corbett, John Hall}
Mr Riley was charged in July 2021. Yes, he retired at the end of June 2020, but it was not to deal with these charges, as The Doppler incorrectly stated. Why does this matter? It is because the complainant’s allegation, and the consequent criminal charges brought against Mr Riley two years ago, gave us all reasons to speculate on the truthfulness of the allegation, to “take sides”, and even to reinforce our own prejudices about men, teenagers, teachers and schools in general. Mr Riley did not retire under a cloud of suspicion. He was an excellent teacher who cared deeply about the hundreds and hundreds of young people who were privileged to learn from him during his 30-year career.
Those who know Jordan will know the truth, I believe he’s a good man and good teacher.
Not guilty but his reputation is still destroyed forever.
In some areas of the world the name of the accused cannot be published unless found guilty.
Not here.
Guilty until proven innocent.
Especially on charges like that.