The teacher accused of inappropriately touching three
third-grade San Juan School students pleaded not guilty to the
charges this week, while a judge denied prosecutors’ attempt to add
special enhancements to the allegations that would have allowed the
possibility, if he is convicted, of a life prison sentence.
The teacher accused of inappropriately touching three third-grade San Juan School students pleaded not guilty to the charges this week, while a judge denied prosecutors’ attempt to add special enhancements to the allegations that would have allowed the possibility, if he is convicted, of a life prison sentence.
Joseph B. Hudson, 58, was arrested at his Hollister home May 14 after investigators had questioned him the prior day at the school. The sheriff’s office recommended 30 counts of lewd or lascivious acts. The district attorney’s office last week charged Hudson on suspicion of the three counts while alleging the incidents occurred May 12, March 1 and Sept. 1, 2008, according to court documents.
He pleaded not guilty at the San Benito County Courthouse on Tuesday. Judge Steven Sanders at the same hearing denied the enhancements attached to each charge.
With the enhancements, and convictions, the potential sentence would have been 15 years to life for each count. Without them, the maximum penalty for each felony is eight years.
The next hearing in Hudson’s case is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 3, according to court documents.
Hudson also hired attorneys in the case, Lawrence and Christina Biegel, after brief representation by William Tiffany.
