Teacher Jailed for Spyware Given New Trial

If you're a teacher, there's certainly extra incentive to routinely update your anti-spyware software.

Substitute teacher Julie Amero is proof; not only is the 40-year old facing criticism and the loss of her job (maybe even career), she's recently been at the center of a fierce criminal case. Unfortunately for Amero, a pornography pop-up advertisement on her computer flashed just as students were using it. The incident has thrust both Amero and adware into the mainstream spotlight.

Prosecutors successfully convicted Amero of four felony counts of "risk of injury to a minor", an offense that would have meant a staggering forty years in prison (longer than many murderers). Luckily for the defendant, a Connecticut superior court judge has overturned the January conviction, granting Amero a new trial.

Students allege that Amero visited pornography regularly, while the defendant maintains that it was merely a consistent showcase of illicit pop-ups they were seeing. Amero says she informed the school that her assigned computer was infected, but was told not to worry. (Source: washingtonpost.com)

Thus far, the end has defined the means for most involved with the case; Amero's PC showed children pornography, and that's a fact. However, the charges and eventual conviction of Amero have shown a serious disconnect between the justice system, popular opinion, and the realities of technology.

Techies have rallied to Amero's side. Sunbelt Software Inc CEO Alex Eckelberry announced he was "very pleased" with the judge's recent ruling to overturn the conviction. Unfortunately, a new trial does not necessarily mean Amero will be set free. (Source: pcworld.com)