Rape Charge Likely Will Be Dropped

Tue., April 23, 1996

Compiled From Wire Services

Stevens County Prosecutor Jerry Wetle said he will ask a judge to drop charges against the alleged accomplice of a man who was acquitted last week of raping a Chewelah teacher.

Michael J. Conner, 22, was to stand trial Monday on charges of second-degree rape and unlawful imprisonment. He was accused of holding down the 34-year-old high school teacher while Tony Borg Jr., 21, raped her on Dec. 7.

Both men live in the Chewelah area.

A jury acquitted Borg Thursday after a three-day trial in which the woman acknowledged a sexual relationship with Borg last summer. She said the brief relationship occurred three years after he was one of her students.

Although she and Borg had broken up before the alleged assault, the teacher said she allowed Borg and Conner into her home. They passed a pleasant evening prior to the attack, she said.

Meanwhile, the teacher has appealed a Chewelah School District decision finding probable cause to fire her for alleged sexual misconduct with two boys while they were students. She has been suspended with pay.

The teacher was not available for comment Monday.

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