SEATTLE (AP) — A man has been charged with second degree murder in the Christmas Eve death of a Seattle-area teacher.
Along with the charges filed Thursday against Johnnie Lee Wiggins, the King County prosecutor has filed an allegation that the beating death of 55-year-old Prudence Hockley was committed in the presence of a minor.
The prosecutor says the fact that the victim’s 13-year-old daughter was present at the time of her death can be used as a basis for an exceptional sentence.
The standard sentencing range is up to about 20 years, but the prosecutor’s office says Wiggins could face up to t life in prison if convicted as charged.
The 48-year-old is being held in the King County Jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 12 at 8:30 a.m.
