Local News in Brief : El Toro : Molestation Charges in Teacher Case Dropped

Two misdemeanor counts of child molesting, on which a jury had deadlocked, were dropped Friday against El Toro elementary school teacher Keith Sheldon Milne.

The computer laboratory teacher at Olivewood Elementary School was acquitted April 21 of seven other misdemeanor counts of molesting eight fourth- and fifth-grade girls in his classroom between January and October of 1987.

“I’m delighted,” Milne said Friday. “I did expect it, but it’s nice to hear it.”

South County Municipal Court Judge Blair T. Barnette had continued the case to Friday because jurors had deadlocked 11 to 1 in favor of acquittal on the two counts.

The Saddleback Valley district board of education will decide whether to reinstate Milne, 38, at its meeting Monday. Meanwhile his case will undergo routine review by the state credentialing committee, defense attorney Paul J. Wallin said.

Milne, who has been suspended from his job with pay since prosecution began in October, 1987, should be automatically reinstated within 10 days unless the school serves him a formal notice of termination, Wallin said.

Milne, who lives in Mission Viejo with his two sons, has taught at Olivewood for 17 years. He said he hopes to resume teaching in the area “where my supporters and friends are.”