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WELLSBURG -- A former Brooke County teacher accused of an inappropriate relationship with a pupil in 2015 interrupted his trial Wednesday with a plea agreement.
Tim Turner, 43, of New Cumberland, former band director at Wellsburg Middle School, pleaded guilty to malicious assault, for which he will serve two years in jail, and agreed to relinquish his teaching certificate.
Turner had been charged with third-degree sexual abuse, a misdemeanor; sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust and soliciting a minor using a computer.
Brooke County Chief Assistant Prosecutor David F. Cross said the charge of malicious assault is appropriate because of the psychological impact Turner's actions had on the 14-year-old girl to whom he made inappropriate sexual contact.
Cross said after consulting the victim and the investigating officer, he supported the plea agreement in large part because it meant Turner would give up his teaching certificate.
He said had he been found guilty, Turner faced 10 to 20 years in jail and would have been required to register for life as a sexual offender.
A jury of six women and six men had heard about a day and a half of testimony, including Brooke County Sheriff's Deputy Gary Conley, who investigated the matter.
On Tuesday Conley testified the victim told him in June 2015 Turner took her to his home, where he attempted to have sex with her.
He said the girl was able to describe the layout of his home and a blanket on his bed.
The deputy said he believed the victim had fallen in love with Turner.
The jury also heard from the victim, now 19; former classmates who brought the matter to the attention of school personnel and school officials involved in the investigation.
On Wednesday the victim testified that she didn't tell anyone of Turner's actions because she was embarrassed.
"These poor kids always end up blaming themselves when they are taken advantage of by adults," Cross said outside the courtroom.
In opening arguments, Cross told the jury the two didn't have a normal teacher-student relationship, spending time together at lunch and outside school, and there was another incident of inappropriate touching.