Retrial under way in teacher's molestation case
RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- The retrial for a former elementary school teacher accused of molesting several students began this morning, with prospective jurors summoned to West Valley Superior Court.
James Andrew Megaw, 43, faces four felonies for allegedly committing lewd or lascivious acts on four children in his class at Valencia Elementary School in Upland.
His first trial ended in a mistrial in May when a jury deadlocked in its deliberations.
Eighty prospective jurors filled out questionnaires today in Judge Michael A. Sachs' courtroom.
Sachs said that attorneys will spend the rest of the week reviewing the responses, and prospective jurors will return to court next Monday morning to continue jury selection.
Sachs estimated the trial will last 20 days.
At Megaw's first trial, five former students -- both boys and girls -- testified that Megaw sexually abused them during class.
A sixth student said Megaw, of Rancho Cucamonga, made a lewd comment to him in a school bathroom.
Two of the students' allegations are uncharged by prosecutors because nearly a decade has passed since the incidents and the statute of limitations is expired.
The jury in Megaw's first trial deadlocked 8-4 in favor of guilt on one count. For the remaining three counts, jurors favored acquittal by tallies of 10-2 (two counts) and 9-3.
A previous report that jurors favored acquittal on all counts was incorrect.
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