Former school band director Thomas Evans Baird in Coffee County was back in jail this past Friday (1/11/19), facing more charges.
According to Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott, Baird age 79, was indicted on Tuesday, Jan. 9 by the Coffee County Grand Jury on 34 counts relating to sexual acts with multiple victims ages 12-15.
• Two counts on continuous sexual abuse to a child
• Six counts of indecent exposure
• Three counts of aggravated sexual battery
• Five counts of sexual battery by authority figure
• Three counts of attempted sexual battery by an authority figure
• One count of attempted rape
• One count of attempted aggravated statutory rape
• One count of attempted statutory rape by an authority figure
Baird, a Manchester resident, will be in court for an arraignment on Jan. 22 at 9 a.m. Due to these indictments, his previous court date scheduled for Feb. 14 will be dismissed.
Previous Report:
Baird served as band director for 30 years at Westwood Junior High, now Westwood Middle School, in Manchester. He has been charged with one count of aggravated sexual battery against a 12-year-old. That is a Class B felony in the state of Tennessee.
Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott says Baird broke his bond condition on December 9th. According to a motion filed by the DA's office, Baird was found to be present at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Tullahoma where one of his alleged minor victims was present. Further, the State says that Baird knew or should have known that one or more of his victims would be present at the church as they are regular attendees. In a separate incident on the same date, December 9, 2018, Baird attempted to contact one of the victims' mother, and she reported the incident to Manchester Police.
In a hearing this week, the district attorney office presented several witnesses, and the defendant testified on his own behalf. After hearing the evidence, the court refused to revoke Baird's bond. Instead, he was placed on a GPS monitor at Baird's expense. Under this agreement, Baird cannot have any direct or indirect contact with any witness or other person associated with this case. He is not to be at any school, church or park. The condition that he have no contact with anyone under the age of 18 also continues. Judge Jere Ledsinger strongly warned Baird to comply with these conditions or be subject to the full penalty of law should they be violated.
Baird continues to be free because of the original bond and conditions.
