Former Slinger High School band director guilty in sex assault of student

WEST BEND – Former Slinger High School band director David Hanke was found guilty by a jury Wednesday of sexually assaulting one of his students in 2000.

The former student, now 35, came forward about the offense in late 2016. After Hanke was charged last year, several more former students revealed stories of his inappropriate behavior during his decades in charge of music at Slinger High.

The jury of seven women and five men deliberated less than two hours before convicting Hanke of sexual assault of a student by school staff. He now faces up to three years in prison and three years of extended supervision when he is sentenced June 8. The trial began Monday.

Stephanie Hanson, Washington County's deputy district attorney, told the jurors in her closing argument that Hanke wasn't only good at teaching music. He also excelled at identifying and grooming students he later tried to or did sexually assault, ensuring they would not report him or break the "circle of trust" within the Slinger band culture he created.

"He lusted after and wanted sexual contact with his students," Hanson said.  By offering a fun "clubhouse" atmosphere in the band room, discussing school work and personal concerns, brushing against girls, watching them change into uniforms, offering neck rubs, Hanson said, Hanke slowly conditioned his targets.

"When they came to the defendant's house, they never saw it coming," Hanson said.

The victim in the case testified that Hanke had invited her to his house. She drove there after school and drank beer he offered her. In the basement, he persuaded her to remove her shirt and bra for a massage. While she lay on her stomach on the carpet, Hanke massaged her back before reaching under her and groping her breasts for several minutes.

The next thing she could remember, she was on the driveway, leaving, when Hanke followed her out and reminded her of the "circle of trust."

Three other former students testified about their interactions with Hanke, incidents that were never charged because of timing.

RELATED:Retired Slinger High band director charged with sexual assault

In his closing argument, defense attorney William Mayer reminded the jury there was no physical or other corroborating evidence of the woman's story. He suggested she actually regretted meeting Hanke in his hotel room a year later, while she was in college, and made up the earlier incident to fit the time frame for prosecution.

The exact timing is critical because the victim turned 18 that same fall. If she was 18 when the incident occurred, it would have required prosecution within six years. If she was only 17, it could be charged until she turned 45.

Mayer also said it "defies logic" that the victim would meet Hanke for dinner and drinks a year later while she was in college in Oshkosh, and return to his hotel room with him. 

The other witnesses, he said, all testified about incidents with Hanke after they had graduated, and they all said they'd cut off contact with him afterward — like the victim finally did after the Oshkosh hotel incident.

In rebuttal, Hanson asked the jury what the victim was supposed to have done in 2000, "Drop out of high school?"

After Hanke was charged, several other former students accused him of inappropriate behavior, but most could not result in charges because of the statute of limitations or because the students were 18 and had graduated when the incidents occurred.

Earlier Wednesday, an expert for the state testified about why so many young sexual assault victims delay reporting incidents. The perpetrators are often family members or others they trust, reporting would trigger a cascade of other consequences, they fear they won't be believed, and it's easiest to just try to pretend it didn't happen.

Susan Lockwood, now retired, is a licensed therapist who directed a sexual assault center in Green Bay. She also explained the importance of slow, patient grooming, especially of parents of potential victims.

"So if you've misjudged this victim and they do tell, they won't be believed," she said.

Two former band students testified for the defense. They said that during two to four hours a day around the band room and Hanke for four years, they never saw him giving or getting massages or watching girls strip to bras and panties while changing into uniforms or heard him make inappropriate comments in class or during private lessons.

Both said they still maintain friendly relationships with Hanke. One admitted on cross-examination that her father is Hanke's best friend.

Hanke, supported by more than a dozen people in court, did not testify.