Bay Shore, NEW YORK

A year after he was convicted in the one case, he was acquitted on another case.

October 29, 2008 - A jury acquitted Richard Tuthill, 36, two counts of second-degree sexual abuse after a three-week trial The jury deliberated seven days on the misdemeanor charges. He was on trial for touching two 13-year-old girls in separate incidents in 2005 during private voice lessons at his home.

Last year, a jury found Tuthill guilty of second-degree sexual abuse, a charge that was the result of the first girl to accuse him. He was sentenced to six months' probation and was required to register as a sex offender. The case is being appealed.

Tuthill was a music teacher at Bay Shore Middle School.