Judge denies motion to dismiss charges against former LCPS Superintendent Scott Ziegler
Judge denies motion to dismiss charges against former LCPS Superintendent Scott Ziegler
Former Loudoun County Superintendent Scott Ziegler walked into the courtroom today with his attorney hoping that the judge would dismiss charges against him but that request was denied. The former superintendent is facing three misdemeanor charges following an investigation into how Loudoun County Public Schools handled sexual assaults at two schools in 2021 when he was in charge.
LEESBURG, Va. - Former Loudoun County Superintendent Scott Ziegler walked into the courtroom Thursday with his attorney, hoping that the judge would dismiss charges against him.
But that request was denied.
Ziegler’s attorney Erin Harrigan is accusing the prosecution of misconduct, saying they influenced the special grand jury’s report that resulted in her client's indictment.
The former superintendent is facing three misdemeanor charges following an investigation into how Loudoun County Public Schools handled sexual assaults at two schools while he was in charge in 2021.
Inside the courtroom, the prosecution asked the judge to deny the motion to dismiss the charges, citing that there was no constitutional violation and that the prosecution could in fact be part of a grand jury investigation.
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Former LCPS Superintendent requests all three misdemeanor indictments be dropped
The Defense Attorney for the former Loudoun County superintendent Dr. Scott Ziegler filed a motion requesting all three of his misdemeanor indictments be dismissed.
Judge Douglas Flemming thanked both sides for their arguments, denied the defense's request, and in closing said he "agrees generally with the argument of the Commonwealth."
The mother of the victim involved in the Stonebridge High School sexual assault was in the courtroom Thursday.
Former LCPS Superintendent Scott Ziegler trial delayed
Former Loudoun County Public Schools superintendent Scott Ziegler will have two, two-day trials for the three misdemeanor charges he's facing following an investigation into how LCPS handled sexual assaults at two schools in 2021.
"I'm glad that that happened," said Jessica Smith in response to the judge's decision. "This needs to go to fruition. People need to be held accountable for what they did."
"There's a lot of people that need to be held accountable, not just Ziegler," she added.
Ziegler will be in court next week. The trial is expected to proceed as scheduled.