COVINGTON, Ky. – Whether or not former Dayton High School teacher Nicole Howell is guilty of having sexual relations with a 16-year-old male student is now up to a jury.
The jury in Kenton Circuit Court that has heard the case against the 26-year-old English teacher began deliberating about 2:30 p.m. Friday.
Howell faces a first degree sexual abuse charge for having sexual relations with the student multiple times.
She has steadfastly denied any sexual contact with the boy but prosecutors and police say they believe the boy told the truth when he said she had sex with him and they point to a number of text messages and late night phone calls between the two to support the allegation.
In her testimony, Howell dismissed the text messages as back-and-forth bantering and explained her contact with the boy was motivated by trying to listen to a student who needed someone to hear his concerns.
Howell could be sentenced for up to five years in prison if convicted on charges of first degree sexual abuse.
