Teacher Wants Sex Sentence Cut

A judge has taken under advisement a request that would reduce, essentially by half, the prison sentence of a former Eufaula school teacher convicted of having sex with a 15-year old student. 

Carrie Smith Perkins, 31, was sentenced in February, 2011 to seven years on on one count of rape and an additional seven years for one count of sodomy. Her attorney, David Hogg, recently filed a motion asking the judge to run the sentences concurrently, meaning both can be served at the same time.  Houston County Circuit Judge Butch Binford initially ordered the sentences to be served consecutively, meaning Perkins must complete one before beginning another.

Perkins sobbed on the witness stand Wednesday, telling the judge she is "truly sorry" for crimes committed.  Perkins admitted to transporting the teen to Dothan where they checked into a hotel room and had sex during the time she was a 5^th grade teacher at Parkview Christian School.

Additionally, Perkins pleaded guilty to having sex with the same boy in Barbour County and was ordered to serve three years in prison.  An additional 12 years was suspended by Circuit Judge Bernard Smithart.  Other sex charges against her were dismissed as part of an apparent plea agreement.

District Attorney Doug Valeska opposed the request to allow Perkins to serve both Houston County sentences at the same time.  "You knew it was wrong to have sex with him, didn't you?" he asked.  She replied, "Yes." Responding to concerns her children are suffering, Valeska said Perkins should have thought about that before she committed illegal sex acts.

Binford didn't indicate when he will rule but a decision is expected in the next few days.