Hume to take plea

By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor
Published on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 9:19 PM MST

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.

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Comments

6 comment(s)

Concerned parent wrote on Feb 15, 2008 4:00 PM:

" The young ladies from Thatcher who think that it is ok harrass one of the victim's of this crime need to think about what they are doing. Mr. Hume might have been a favorite teacher of their's, but he committed a crime against 6 young ladies who did not deserve it. The young who have been harrassing a victim need to know that tampering with a witness is not legal and that they could possibly get in trouble if it continues. Victim Witness is aware of situation. "

RDB wrote on Feb 10, 2008 5:46 AM:

" Am glad he is taking the plea deal too. And that these young ladies won't have to testify. But folks lets be real. No trial. No realistic sentencing as result of the trial. 6 years consecutive? Not in this county. It's a win-win for everyone. "

Former Student wrote on Feb 9, 2008 5:47 PM:

" I am so glad he is taking the plea. I loved Hume and I loved his classes when I was in school. They were definately the bright spot in my otherwise dark days at THS. I know he was this to many other students as well. This is what makes his actions especially disturbing; students let their guard down in his class and we felt that we could trust him. He shattered this trust. I can only wonder how long this was going on. His actions truly disgust me on all levels. "

Concerned parent wrote on Feb 9, 2008 1:21 PM:

" I am so grateful that Mr. Hume chose to accept the plea agreement. I for one know how much this has affected one young lady. It would be a whole new trauma to have to testify about what happened. I am so very proud of the young ladies who came forward, it is a very brave thing you did. It is so hard when someone you are suppose to be able to trust violates your trust. My heart goes out to Pam Hume and her kids. They too have had their trust violated. "

wade laudenslager wrote on Feb 8, 2008 1:46 AM:

" This guy IS TRASH no matter what the issue is that is in front of you and I.
i've been to prison twice, this SCUMBAG IS GOING TO PAY FOR HIS ACTIONS.....PRISON HAS ITS OWN PINISHMENT. HE NEEDS IT!! AND WILL GET IT!! DONE IT!! "

JEL wrote on Feb 7, 2008 1:20 PM:

" All I can say is that I'm grateful Mr. Hume decided to take a plea deal. The last thing his victims need is to go through testifying against him at a trial. They've been through enough already. I hope this brings some relief to them and their families. "

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