Judge Rejects Hackett Plea Agreement

(St. Albans, Vermont) Last March, teaching assistant at Missisquoi Valley Union High School, 24-year-old Melanie Hackett, was arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy. In the summer, Hackett agreed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of lewd and lascivious behavior in return for the dismissal of more serious charges. According to the deal, Hackett would receive six months in jail.

This week, Franklin County Judge Mark Keller rejected the plea agreement, stating that six months in prison was insufficient. Judge Keller demanded that Hackett be sentenced to at least 14 months in prison.

As a result, Hackett withdrew her guilty plea. She will fight charges of sexual assault at trial. If convicted, she faces a possible 20 years behind bars.


[Update 03/03/07]

Hackett sentenced.