A New Jersey middle school teacher faces accusations of grooming a boy from the age of 12 and engaging in sexual relations with him at least six times. On Wednesday, her lawyer argued that the victim was partly responsible due to the explicit text messages he sent her.
Defense attorney Rocco Cipparone stated, “He’s not texting like a kid… his texts are as graphic and direct as any I’ve seen from an adult.”
Cipparone continued, “I’m not saying he’s not the age he is, but this is not a babe in the woods scenario that Ms. Finley is creating from a risk and a danger perspective.”
He also noted, “The state’s evidence leaves something to be desired, it’s contextual, selective, salacious texts that will be challenged.”
Ashley Fisler, 36, reportedly exchanged around 7,500 text messages with the boy during her six-year pursuit of him, according to prosecutors during a virtual hearing.
Fisler, a married former social studies teacher at Orchard Valley Middle School in Washington Township, is accused of having sexual relations with the boy when he turned 16, including in a classroom and her car.
Prosecutor Kylie Finley alleged that Fisler began grooming the boy at age 12, exchanging disturbing messages over six years, including offers to buy him a sex toy and shave his pubic hair.
Finley also claimed that Fisler asked the boy to describe his sexual experiences with girls his age, recommended explicit movies, and requested photos of him.
The teenager reportedly attempted multiple times to end the relationship, but Fisler allegedly continued to exert control over him.
In a poignant message, the teen stated, “You stripped me of my innocence.”
Cipparone, however, accused prosecutor Finley of selectively presenting messages to portray the situation more negatively.
He argued that there was no evidence of his client sexually assaulting the boy when he was a preteen.
Fisler appeared via video from Salem County Jail during the hearing, dressed in dark green jail scrubs and only confirmed her name.
Judge William Ziegler issued a restraining order on Wednesday, prohibiting Fisler from contacting the victim.
She remains in custody as the judge deliberates on her potential release on bail.
