The teen said she delayed reporting the incident because she did not want to get Cason in trouble and was concerned for her safety, Cardwell said.

When Cason was charged, police said the date of offense occurred sometime between Nov. 1 and Dec. 10, but the girl apparently then narrowed the date to Dec. 16. Police said at the time that there were no witnesses.

“It’s hard for us to pinpoint a particular date to try to have people testify about the facts of the case,” Cardwell said. “It really compromises a person who’s accused in defending himself, when you can’t specifically identify the date.”

Cardwell said Cason denied in testimony abusing the teen, and several teachers and one student testified on his behalf. Most of those witnesses testified “to the difference in the reputations for credibility ... between Mr. Cason and” the accuser, Cardwell said.

“He is a very, very highly respected teacher, and apparently one of those teachers that goes far beyond what’s normally required to help a student,” Cardwell said. “Many of the students at that school — because it’s an alternative school — have either educational or conduct issues, and he has the strongest reputation for going above and beyond for his students.”