Hume to take plea
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The case against former Thatcher Art Teacher Stephen Hume appears to be nearing an end because he tentatively accepted the terms of a plea agreement from the state.
At Hume’s pretrial conference Monday, Deputy County Attorney C. Alan Perkins said he had been in talks with Hume’s attorney, Wendell Hughes, and an agreement has been reached. Hughes then affirmed Perkins’ statement.
Hume has been charged with 14 counts of voyeurism and surreptitious photography for allegedly video-recording his students as they changed clothes for art projects.
According to Perkins, the plea agreement stipulates Hume must plead guilty to one count for each of his six victims. At the discretion of the sentencing judge, R. Douglas Holt, Hume could receive up to one year in jail for each count. If the counts are sentenced consecutively, Hume could face a total of six years in jail.
Judge Holt set Hume’s official change-of-plea hearing for Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 11:30 a.m. Hume will describe his crimes at that time and admit to the charges to which he is pleading guilty. Judge Holt will then set a date for sentencing.
After Hume and the court officially accept the plea agreement, it will be up to Judge Holt’s discretion to either send Hume to jail or give him probation only.
Holt said he welcomes letters from victims as well as letters in support of Hume and will read them before passing sentence.
