Report: Ossining Teacher Arraigned On Rape Charges
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A high school teacher in suburban New York has been arraigned on charges he raped a 16-year-old student. His arraignment came on what was once scheduled to be his wedding day.
Police in Ossining said John Azabache, a math teacher at Ossining High School, was arraigned Friday on two charges of third-degree rape. Defense lawyer Tony Castro said he pleaded not guilty and posted $50,000 bail.
Castro said Azabache's wedding, originally scheduled for Friday, was canceled some time ago. He said he did not know if the cancellation was related to the charges.
He said the man's former fiancee is on the prosecution's witness list.
Castro said the charges do not allege forcible compulsion.
"Neither one of the charges involves any forcible compulsion. This school teacher was well regarded. It is a difficult situation for everyone involved," Castro said.
The Ossining district superintendent said Azabache had been reassigned and barred from school grounds.
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