Husbands case heads to trial

Jury selection has started in the case of a former assistant principal at a Milford elementary school on four charges of unlawful sexual contact with young girls.

During final case review Oct. 19, when Delaware Superior Court Judge E. Scott Bradley asked the defendant if he wished to go to trial, Edward S. Husbands, 46, answered, “Most definitely.” A former assistant principal at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School, Husbands faces up to 32 years in prison if convicted. When asked by Bradley if he rejected the state’s final plea offer, Husbands said, “Absolutely.”

The trial is expected to last four days, with jury selection beginning Oct. 31.

Husbands was charged June 25, 2015, after police say he had unlawful sexual contact with two 10-year-old girls and an 11-year-old girl on separate occasions during sleepovers at the Husbands family residence in Milton.

Husbands’ attorney, Stephen Welsh, tried to have the case dismissed, asserting Husbands’ rights to a speedy trial had been violated. Welsh argued that it has been 493 days since his client’s arrest, and the Delaware Department of Justice has been responsible for 270 days worth of delays. Welsh said the delays have been prejudicial against Husbands because they have had to disclose valuable trial strategy.

Deputy Attorney General John Downs said the defense asked several times for the case to be continued.

Bradley ruled in favor of the state, agreeing that while the case has dragged on longer than expected, the state is not solely responsible for the delays. He said the delays are not prejudicial against Husbands and that the case will rise and fall based on the witnesses who will be presented at trial.