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CHELSEA, Vt. (AP) — A former Vermont elementary school principal accused of having inappropriate contact with a child has pleaded no contest.
The Valley News reports (http://bit.ly/1SQcZ3r ) 68-year-old Richard Talbot entered the plea Wednesday to a charge of engaging in a prohibited act. He initially pleaded not guilty last year.
Prosecutors say he groped an 11-year-old girl during a hug in his office in 2014 and was fired from Tunbridge Central School last year.
Defense attorney Robert Keiner says his client denied the incident took place and says he pleaded no contest so students didn't have to testify.
Keiner says Talbot's teaching style is old-fashioned and grandfatherly. He says the "times have changed" since he got into education and he was "very keen" on making students feel comfortable.
He received a two-year deferred sentence.
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Information from: Lebanon Valley News, http://www.vnews.com
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