SORRY FOR THAT WHOLE RUINING-YOUR-CAREER THING: Student-sex charges dropped against Halls High teacher.

Prosecutors today dropped charges against a Halls High School teacher accused of having sex with a student.

Corey DeHart, who had been suspended from his post as a math teacher after a student filed a complaint against him in September 2007, had faced six counts of multiple sex acts ranging from statutory rape to sexual battery by an authority figure.

However, those charges were dropped at a brief hearing this morning before Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner.  “Basically our case evaporated,” said John Gill, special counsel to Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols.

Unpaid leave for over a year before an Emily Litella “never mind” in court. No wonder people — especially men, who have more reason to worry about unfounded charges — are increasingly reluctant to go into teaching.