NY jury rejects teacher's $2 million witch claim

<p>The jurors never fell under her spell.</p><p>A Long Island teacher who charged she was fired from her job because administrators mistakenly thought she was a witch was powerless to do anything Tuesday as a jury rejected her claim and her $2 million lawsuit.</p><p>The seven-member jury deliberated for only an hour before deciding that Lauren Berrios, 37, wasn't entitled to any money from her ex-employer. The trial began March 7.</p><p>"I think the jury saw this for what it was _ a publicity stunt," said attorney Steven C. Stern, who represented the Hampton Bays school district. "We're glad the district can put this chapter behind them."</p><p>Berrios, who denied ever practicing witchcraft, sued the school district in 2001 after she was dismissed from her job as a reading specialist teacher. After two years, she was denied tenure and let go.</p><p>The school district claimed its decision came because Berrios did not get along with co-workers, had a condescending attitude and conjured stories about phantom injuries to her son. Her attorney, John Ray, said in opening statements that Berrios was a victim of prejudice from her school's principal, Andrew Albano, a born-again Christian.</p><p>Albano fired her after deciding that Berrios was a witch, according to Ray. Defense attorney Stern told the jurors that Berrios had told co-workers about visiting a coven meeting, but was not fired for being a witch.</p><p>Instead, Stern said, she was a bizarre "storyteller" who fabricated tales that her husband was involved in a plane crash, and that her 2-year-old son lost his fingers in a VCR accident.</p><p>"These are always difficult cases," said Berrios' attorney, John Ray. "We're sad, but it proves Lauren is not a witch."</p><p>Berrios now works as a teacher in the Atlanta area. She planned to fly home later Tuesday.</p><p>"I'm looking forward to just getting back to my children and my family," said the mother of two.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/3/104139