Matron at Winfrey School Pleads Innocent

Описание: PlusMatron at Winfrey School Pleads InnocentMatron at Winfrey School Pleads InnocentThe Associated PressA former dormitory matron at Oprah Winfrey's school for poor South African girls pleaded innocent Tuesday to charges that she indecently assaulted and otherwise abused six teenagers and a fellow matron at the academy. (July 29)A former dormitory matron at Oprah Winfrey's South African girls school looked nervous and sullen as her trial got underway. Tiny Virginia Makopo is charged with assaulting and abusing six teens and a fellow 23-year-old dorm matron. But the 28-year-old denies the charges. SOT: "Her plea was that she denies all the allegations against her and she declines to give any explanation, she did not raise any defence, they are reserving her defence."Etienne Venter, Prosecutor The opening session Tuesday was public. But the rest of the trial, expected to last all week, will be private. And the judge is allowing the teenagers to testify through closed-circuit TV so they don't have to confront their alleged attacker in court. Winfrey-- a victim of child abuse herself-- has promised to overhaul the 40-million dollar school. The Chicago-based talk show host said school officials tried to hide the allegations from her. Winfrey opened the school last year to fulfill a promise she made to former President Nelson Mandela. The school gives girls from deprived backgrounds a quality education. It also grooms them for leadership positions in a country where schools are struggling to overcome the legacy of white-minority rule. ___ ___, The Associated Press.