In court: Case involving former teacher accused of raping student

Posted by Debra Worley - email

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The a former New Hanover County teacher accused of statutory rape is expected in court next week.

Jessica Wishnask, 27, was arrested in June 2009, charged with indecent liberties of a 15-year-old boy.

The teacher was suspended from Williston Middle School twice toward the end of 2008.  She left New Hanover County and became a teacher at Pactolus Elementary School in Pitt County.  Wishnask resigned from the school after she was arrested.

Thursday, attorneys told the judge her case is still moving forward.

"I can tell you at this point we haven't made any decision as to whether or not the case is going to go forward to trial or it's going to be worked out by plea," said Lance Oehrlein with the District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors with the District Attorney's Office say they should know more about the direction the trial is headed in January.

Related stories:

• School board to release a statement about Wishnask
• NHC school board release parts of Wishnask's personnel file
• Wishnask faces additional charges
• Student's family sues Wishnask and New Hanover Co. administrators

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