LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A judge in Las Cruces has taken the unusual step of finding prosecutors failed to present enough evidence for a jury to convict a former teacher of stalking and issued an acquittal.
The action by Third Judicial District Court Fernando R. Macias drew a sharp protest from prosecutors who called the decision improper.
Former Chaparral Middle School teacher and coach Terrance Daniels had been accused of stalking a 14-year-old student five years ago. He also was accused of writing a love letter and then calling and texting her repeatedly. He even showed up at her school and athletic events after being fired.
Macias said he determined after prosecutors ended their presentation to a jury on Thursday that they didn't show all the elements of the aggravated stalking charge.
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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.