Judge denies dismissal of charges

St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman last week denied a defense motion to dismiss criminal sexual conduct charges against a former Centreville teacher.
An attorney for Terry Miller, who is charged with criminal sexual conduct, argued Friday that a number of legal delays over the past two years have violated Miller’s right to an expeditious trial.
Stutesman told the court there will be no more delays in taking the matter to trial, now set to begin July 25.
Miller was arrested in August 2015 after three female students at Centreville Schools alleged he had hugged and touched them inappropriately over a period of months.
The matter initially was scheduled for trial in December 2015. Thus far, five trial dates have been adjourned, including three postponements that were opposed by the defense.
The most-recent delay came in February, when St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough recused his office from the case.
Eric Jenkins, assistant Van Buren County prosecutor, appeared in court for the prosecution Friday. Jenkins said Van Buren County Prosecutor Michael Bedford will handle the trial.