[Park Hopper]

Here's the text of the latest story regarding the sexual molestation trial of the man who played Tigger at WDW. During the course of Tuesday's proceedings, the defense attorney held up several pieces of the costume, including Tigger's head and tail, to the jury.

Tigger costume entered as evidence
By Anthony Colarossi
Sentinel Staff Writer

Tigger made his first appearance at an Orange County courtroom today.

Prosecutors this morning entered the Disney character's costume as evidence in what has become known as the Tigger trial, involving a cast member accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl.

The costume was entered into evidence during testimony of Detective Kevin Kraubetz, of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Kraubetz investigated the girl's complaint and arrested Michael C. Chartrand, 36, in April. Chartrand dressed as the Tigger character and posed for photos with guests at Toon Town in the Magic Kingdom.

The costume, in a cardboard box by the judge's bench, was finally removed when defense attorney Jeffrey Kaufman Jr. pulled out the costume's head, bodysuit, tail and paws out the box to show Kraubetz. Kaufman stuck his arm in the orange and black-striped head and held it up to show how vision is limited in the costume before placing it back in the box.

The girl testified Monday that the Tigger character rubbed her breasts during the photo session.

Jurors today heard a taped interview between the detective and Chartrand.

Chartrand said he didn't recall touching the girl inappropriately. But then Kraubetz asked him if he might have made a bad decision.

"I know you're not a bad guy. It's just something you made a bad choice on," Kraubetz said.

In response, Chartrand said, "Yes, sir."

After the interview, Chartrand agreed to write an apology to the victim, even though he didn't know her identity.

[tragic312]

so, what is going to happen now that the tigger costume was shown in the courtroom today? thanks again for keeping us posted park hopper.

[Dana]

Thanks for the update Park Hopper. Him apologizing to the "unknown" girl makes me want to change my opinion on his innocence. If I'm wrong, I have no problem saying so. I guess it's the magic of WDW that makes you want to believe that these kinds of things aren't possible. I hope to that my first assessment of this situation is on the mark, but if not, I'm sorry to the "victim" in this incident. I still think that the guy is innocent, but if he did what he is accused of, he is discusting and I have NO symapathy.

[fjs08]

We were in Disney last week. On Monday it was a huge story on the local news. We left Monday, so I have no additional report.
Frank

[Amneris]

Dana, don't let the tape change your p.o.v. about the guy. Remember this is a maybe 10 second excerpt from something that is probably at least an hour long. *If* the guy is innocent, imagined being dragged into the police station on such a serious charge, knowing that you're about to be fired for something you didn't do, especailly as you work for such an image conscious employer, and with police there implying if not directly telling you that you're about to serve jail time -- not only fired, but with a criminal record how will you ever get a job again and what are all of your family, friends, neighbors, etc. going to think of you??? The cops may have told him that if he just admits he did the wrong thing and apologizes then the girl may not press charges and he'll be o.k.. So he says well, uh, o.k., trying to make the whole mess go away as fast as possible. After all, this is a CLASSIC he-said/she-said situation, and everyone knows that the he loses 99.9% of those ones. (Of course the guy could just as easily be guilty too. But don't take the cop basically badgering him into admitting guilt as a sign of true guilt.)