debra beasley lafave

When a young Hillsborough County teacher was accused this summer of having a sexual affair with a 14-year-old student, many people's first reaction to the notorious case was, 'She's crazy'. Tuesday, Debra Lafave's attorney announced that his client would indeed be using an insanity defense. She is charged with two counts of committing lewd and lascivious battery on a person younger than 16.

Police records state that Lafave, 23, performed oral sex on the victim and in a separate incident had sexual intercourse with the boy in a portable classroom at Greco.

Al Danna, a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, said that because the case involves a woman and a boy, it could make the case more difficult for prosecutors.

"If an older man has sex with a young girl, people call him a sicko and want him put away,'' he said. "Some people still believe if a young boy, especially a teenage boy, has sex with an older woman, it's a learning experience. It ultimately comes down to a jury, and, unfortunately, the double standard can make a difference".

According to prosecutor Mike Sinacore, the burden is on the defense to prove insanity by meeting two standards.

"The person suffered from mental illness at the time of the offense, and the second prong is to prove that either they did not know what they were doing, or that they did know what they were doing but did not know that it was wrong," he explained.

One factor the defense might use to invoke an insanity defense is the recent trauma Lafave's family has been through. Her pregnant sister was killed in a high-profile drunk driving accident three years ago, and Lafave was in court for that trial alongside the rest of her family, who also turned out for Tuesday's hearing.

Her soon-to-be former husband, Owen Lafave, was not there, however. Owen filed for divorce in August and has said previously that the case has been like "living a nightmare" for him.