A 52-year-old Windermere man, whose child sexual battery case took down the town's police chief and later played a role in the resignation of the city manager, was sentenced to life in prison today.
At the same time, police re-arrested former police chief Daniel Saylor for perjury for comments made to investigators who pursued Scott Bush.
In court today, Bush said "I'm innocent of these charges." Adding that "a multitude of people" were in his corner and did not believe the charges against him.
He blamed his ex for "using the court system in a bad way."
"I don't undertand how I'm in this position," he said.
Bush was fingerprinted and sent to state prison, while his attorney said he would be filing an appeal.
In fact, Bush attempted to get a new trial today after discovering a ten-year-old journal in the garage of his home. Inside it were writings from one of his victims and notes he had made as well. According to court officers, there was no mention of a sexual battery in any of the writings.
But Judge Julie O'Kane said the journal appeared to be a classroom assignment and not a personal diary and it did not rise to the level that a new trial could be ordered.
Prosecutor Deborah Barra was asked why the journal might not have mentioned any misdeed. "Victims of sexual abuse, they are very private about it," she explained.
Bush's son spoke on his behalf at the sentencing, saying his dad "is a great guy." A neighbor who said she had an open door relationship with the Bushes, called the defendant a "man of good character."
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