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Judge Sets Deadline in Watson Case

A McDonough County Judge has set a deadline for the pre-trial discovery process in the case of Daniel Watson.

Watson is a former Macomb High School teacher and former boys basketball coach. He is charged with one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse for an alleged relationship with a female student.

State's Attorney James Hoyle told the court the discovery period has dragged on because of a six-month wait for a state crime lab to do a forensic search of a computer. He also said a search warrant has not been executed. Hoyle later declined to provide details about the search warrant.

Judge William Poncin reminded Hoyle the state constitution requires a trial be conducted “as expeditiously as possible.” Poncin set a deadline of 4 p.m. March 27th for the discovery period to end.

Watson has pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was arrested in August. Watson and the Macomb School Board agreed to his resignation last month. It was retroactive to December 19, 2011.
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