Genise Schu, 47, accused of having a seven-year sexual relationship with her son’s friend, starting when he was 13 years old, waived a preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty to 10 separate charges, including unlawful oral copulation and unlawful sexual intercourse. Before appearing in court again on 1/25, Schu will undergo a psychological evaluation, and the Probation Department will conduct a pre-plea report to determine if she would be an appropriate candidate for probation.
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Judge Brian Hill ruled on 12/7 that Steven Cisneros-found guilty of killing his roommate at a Westside sober living home on 12/11/2008-now has two strikes against him and is therefore eligible to a serve longer prison term. Hill determined that Cisneros’s prior assault conviction qualified as a strike. Cisneros is now facing 56 years to life in prison, and will be sentenced on 1/11.
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Santa Barbara County contracted with attorney David Nye this week to defend it against a lawsuit from former county employee Shawn Terris. Terris is suing the county for, among other things, unlawful termination. The contract has a cap of $250,000, and will be paid out of a risk management liability fund. Terris filed the suit, which names both Sheriff Bill Brown and County CEO Mike Brown as alleged offenders, in October.
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Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Frank Ochoa announced at a hearing on 12/7 that Peter Jeschke-the former Santa Barbara High School tennis coach convicted of giving drugs and alcohol to and having sex with a 16-year-old girl-will be placed on the sex offender registry for life in addition to the five years of probation he received. Jeschke also faces additional witness intimidation charges.