Peeler said vacating the May 5 trial “was for good cause shown” and ordered the trial to be rescheduled. No date has been set for the new trial.
Schuler is charged with 16 felony counts of sexual battery and three counts of offenses involving underage persons, a first-degree misdemeanor, for allegedly buying or providing beer for five Mason students, most of whom were football players.
Schuler is accused of having sexual relations with the students on five different occasions at her Cobblestone Lane home in Springboro. Prosecutors said the alleged incidents occurred in 2010 on Aug. 20, 27, Sept. 10, Oct. 17 and Dec. 23.
Her attorney, Charlie Rittgers of Lebanon, said Schuler has denied all of the charges.
The students have given specific details about Schuler’s residence and told Mason police that all of the alleged sexual encounters occurred in her master bedroom and bathroom. They also allegedly saw inappropriate photos on her cell phone and on her laptop computer. That information enabled police to obtain a search warrant on Feb. 2.
The allegations against Schuler were reported to school officials anonymously on Jan. 10. On Jan. 18, the 10-year Mason teacher was placed on paid administrative leave and has since resigned. Schuler is free on bond and is wearing a GPS monitoring device while living in Centerville with her parents.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4504 or erichter@coxohio.com.
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