Bucks Co. teacher trial begins

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - June 19, 2008 Susan Romanysczn entered court today battling felony allegations that she launched a series of anonymous threats at Warminster Elementary School last year.

The 46-year-old veteran teacher is charged with 17 counts of making terrorist threats and using a fake bomb during a 9-day flurry of threats on wall graffiti and ominous notes on paper in Longstreth Elementary School in October.

They were frequently done in a childlike matter with poor spelling, with some being obscene warnings that teachers would be killed and the building was about to explode.

It set off a panic in the school. Since the arrest, Susan Romanyszyn has been diagnosed with cancer.

Fellow teacher Jessica White was the government's first witness. She described the fear and panic the threats triggered among the faculty, parents, and students. White's classroom section was the first area where threats were placed.

Susan Romanysczn's lawyer, Sarah Webster, claims there is no physical evidence linking her client to the crimes.

One emerging defense tactic implied that students with known emotional problems might have been responsible for the threats.

According to the prosecution, Susan Romanysczn had a specific grievance, she was being forced to teach fourth grade instead of middle school math.

Romanysczn is expected to take the witness stand next week in her own defense.