Tampa Teacher Accused of Sexual Abuse Strips Down to Boxer Shorts in Court

The man faces sex abuse charges for allegedly persuading a former student to have sex with him.

A former Pasco County teacher stripped down to his boxers in court Friday in an attempt to prove that he did not sexually abuse a former student, reported the Tampa Bay Times.

Michael Lander is charged with abusing a then-12-year-old girl in his class at Schrader Elementary, the Times reported. He convinced the girl's mother and his wife to allow the girl to move in with his family, and while she was there he allegedly fondled her and persuaded her to have sex with him, according to the newspaper.

The man's attorney had Lander remove his pants to show the court burn scars on his leg that were not mentioned by the girl, now 18, in testimony, the newspaper said.

The attorney made sure to explain to the judge that Lander had boxer shorts under his pants, but the judge cut him off saying the court was acquainted with boxer shorts and to make sure there was no "garment malfunction," the Times reported.

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