Lawyer cites teacher’s health issues in student sex assaults

NEWARK (AP) -- The attorney for a North Jersey high school teacher accused of having sex with six male students says she has a brain condition that left her defenseless to the students' aggressive behavior.

Nicole DuFault  of Caldwell pleaded not guilty in April to aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment charges.

Her attorney, Timothy Smith, tells NJ.com that the 36-year-old teacher suffers from "frontal lobe syndrome," a condition that experts say is associated with socially inappropriate behavior. It also leaves them unable to control impulses, among other symptoms.

DeFault was a language arts teacher at Columbia High School in Maplewood before she was arrested last September.

Prosecutors say they still plan to take the case to trial.

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