Urban represented McMartin teacher
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by Kevin Cody
In early 1984, when seven McMartin Preschool teachers were charged with 207 counts of child molestation, all of the defendants claimed innocence, including longtime teacher Betty Raidor. Nonetheless, Raidor’s attorney, Manhattan Beach attorney Walter Urban, approached the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office about the prospect of a plea bargain.
The other teachers and their attorneys were furious at this perceived break in ranks.
When asked by reporters if he was conceding his client was guilty, Urban responded matter of factly, “No. But it is my duty to explore all the options.” (Charges against Raidor and four of the other seven were dropped, but not until two years after their arrests. Preschool owner Peggy Bucky and her son were tried, but not convicted.)