A former St. Lucie County teacher was convicted Thursday night of abusing some of his students. Jurors deliberated for four hours before reaching the verdict.
Prosecutors believe it was the stories of eight victims that made the difference in the jury's decision.
Dan Hussan showed no emotion as the verdict came down. He was a ninth-grade English teacher at the Marine Oceanographic Academy in St. Lucie County before being arrested and charged on 16 counts of lewd behavior.
Prosecutors say they are happy with the verdict adding justice was served.
"This was definitely a case where there was strength in numbers. We had eight victims, their stories were all very similar as to what they had endured by this defense and we did have corroborating evidence. We had a photograph that one of the girls had taken and that was enough to push it over," says State Attorney Anastasia Norman.
The judge tentatively set a sentencing hearing for Sept. 19.
Hassan, 70, could spend the rest of his life in prison.
