No verdict in Wilmington teacher sex abuse case

WILMINGTON, NC (AP) — A New Hanover County jury has failed to
return a verdict in a case against a former pre-school teacher
accused of sexually abusing a 4-year-old pupil.

The Star-News of Wilmington reported Thursday that prosecutors
may schedule a new trial for Johnny Lewis, who was charged with
first-degree sex offense with a child.

The charges stem from accusations by a child at the Peabody
School in Wilmington. The child told his mother that Lewis had
sexually abused him.

Prosecutors said the jury was split 10-2, with most of the
jurors wanting to convict.

Lewis’ defense said the accusations against him were hard to
believe and that police failed to investigate other suspects.

The 52-year-old Head Start teacher was arrested in February
2010.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)