The Seattle felon accused of killing his girlfriend – a Woodinville teacher – on Christmas Eve has been charged with second-degree murder.
Filing charges Thursday, King County prosecutors claim Johnnie Lee Wiggins viciously beat teacher Prudence Hockley as the woman’s teen daughter listened.
Hockley, 55, was rushed from her Greenwood neighborhood home to Harborview Medical Center, and died there Christmas Day. Wiggins was arrested earlier this week and is now charged with second-degree murder
Prosecutors plan to seek an exceptional sentence against Wiggins, a 48-year-old man with a history of violence against women. If prosecutors succeed, Wiggins could be sentenced to life in prison.
Just before 11 p.m. on Dec. 24, Seattle police were called to Hockley’s home after her daughter found her unconscious on the home’s driveway. Moments before she had stepped out to speak with Wiggin, who had just arrived.
First responders arriving at the scene found Hockley bleeding heavily from the head with obvious bruises on her neck. She was unresponsive.
According to witnesses, Wiggins arrived at the home to find another man leaving the residence. He became irate, according to court documents, and began yelling at Hockley, her daughter and the other man.
Prosecutors contend Wiggins and Hockley were alone in front of the house when he accosted her. The woman’s daughter stepped outside immediately after the apparent attack to find her mother on the ground and Wiggins walking away.
Contacted by police, Wiggins initially denied he was involved in any fight with Hockley, according to charging documents.
He later changed his story, Detective James Cooper told the court, and admitted he was at the home when things “went bad.”
An autopsy later revealed Hockley died of “numerous extremely forceful blows to her face and head.”
Wiggins turned himself in Wednesday.
Others interviewed by detectives told police Wiggins had hit Hockley in the face on at least one prior occasion, giving her a black eye. One woman told police Hockley had described Wiggins as “controlling, jealous and short-tempered,” and said he had steroid “rage.”
Hockley started at Woodinville in the fall of 1997 and taught both regular and advanced placement English classes. She emigrated to the U.S. from New Zealand in 1978 and had three children, according to the school’s website.
”Ms. Hockley was an extraordinary teacher who was passionate about learning, reading and writing,” Woodinville Principal Kurt Criscione wrote to school families. “Known for her high expectations, she developed strong relationships with students and pushed them outside of their comfort zones to expanding their learning.
“She will forever be remembered for her dynamic personality and teaching style.”
Wiggins remains jailed on $5 million bail. He is expected to be arraigned Jan. 12 at the King County Courthouse.
No comments:
Post a Comment