A judge today scheduled a preliminary hearing for a longtime
teacher accused of molesting multiple San Juan School students.
HOLLISTER
A judge today scheduled a preliminary hearing for a longtime teacher accused of molesting multiple San Juan School students.
Joseph Hudson, 58, was in San Benito County Superior Court for the hearing to determine the preliminary trial hearing dates.
Judge Steven Sanders scheduled one and a half days for the hearing after discussion with Hudson’s attorney Lawrence Biegel and Deputy District Attorney Patrick Palacios. It is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and to run all day on Nov. 2 and then to start at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 4.
Hudson is accused of 18 felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14 – three charges for each of the six children – and six counts of continuous sexual abuse, according to court documents. In late July, the prosecutors filed an amended complaint that includes special allegations with each of the counts alleging he committed the crimes with multiple minors.
Authorities arrested Hudson at his home May 14 after questioning the teacher and students. The district attorney’s office is alleging he committed the acts on or around Sept. 1, Jan. 1 and May 1, according to court records. If convicted, he could spend 15 years to life in prison.
Outside the courtroom, Biegel said instead of having law enforcement officers on the witness stand during the preliminary hearing, witnesses will testify so “we can see what this case is all about.”
If more time is needed to hear from the witnesses, Sanders also scheduled an additional hearing date for Nov. 9 and set a confirmation hearing for 2 p.m. on Oct. 20.
