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Setting trial date for Ragusa will have to wait

News Channel 8 photo by KATE CALDWELL

The Davidsen Middle School teacher had been set to be tried Aug. 10 on charges of molesting two teenagers from the school.

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 8, 2009

TAMPA - It will be until September before a new trial date will be set for Stephanie Ragusa.

The former Davidsen Middle School teacher had been set to be tried Aug. 10 on charges of molesting two teenagers from the school.

But defense attorney Robert Herce and Assistant State Attorney Rita Peters said today that there is still too much pretrial work remaining to meet that date.

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Wayne S. Timmerman agreed to continue the case.

He set a status conference Sept. 30.

Timmerman warned he wouldn't consent to dragging the case out.

"At that time, either it will be disposed of or set for trial," he said.

The lawyers said there are still depositions to be taken of potential witnesses in the case and other matters of pretrial discovery.

Herce said those issues may center on expert witnesses either side might call.

Ragusa was arrested in March 2008 and accused of having sex at least three times with a 14-year-old. She was rearrested in April and charged with having sex with another teenager as many as 20 times.

She has pleaded not guilty.

Ragusa said nothing at today's hearing.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 259-7698.

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