DA Calls Out Lawyer Who Said Girl Initiated Sex With Teacher

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Allegheny County's top prosecutor is slamming a defense lawyer's suggestion that a female high-school student initiated sexual contact that led to criminal charges against his client, a teacher.

Thursday's out-of-court dispute involves 29-year-old Michael Cinefra, a former substitute teacher at Plum High School in suburban Pittsburgh. He's one of three teachers at the school who are charged with having sex with female students.

Cinefra's lawyer, Patrick Thomassey, told reporters after a court proceeding Wednesday that the victim initiated the relationship and claimed Cinefra didn't know she was only 15 at the time.

County District Attorney Stephen Zappala responded Thursday by calling Thomassey's comments "incredibly callous." Zappala says Thomassey's remarks don't amount to a defense and could be seen as attempts to intimidate the witness.

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