SEATTLE — 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 said 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 life in prison if convicted as charged.
The 48-year-old is being held in the King County Jail on $5 million bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 12 at 8:30 a.m.
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