Sublimity Teacher Cleared on Sex Abuse Charges

John Lulay was a middle school teacher in Sublimity from 1976 to 2003, then became a substitute teacher in the North Santiam School District.

A Marion County judge cleared retired teacher John Lulay of Sex Abuse charges Thursday. Salem-New.com photo

(SALEM, Ore.) - A retired Sublimity, Oregon teacher, 59-year old John Lulay, was found innocent of sexual abuse last week. Judge Lynn Ashcroft handed the verdict down Thursday, after criticizing members of both families behind the charges.

The judge reportedly said that the child was put in the middle and that family members attempted to tell her what to say, adding that the family did not put her needs first.

The Statesman Journal reported that during the three-day trial that did not involve a jury, Lulay's defense lawyer accused the child's mother of coaching her.

Lulay was a middle school teacher in Sublimity from 1976 to 2003, then became a substitute teacher in the North Santiam School District.

He cried at the verdict and told the Salem Statesman Journal he planned to see his grandchildren. He had been prohibited from being around children.